> [mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Dennis Paulson
>
> Just watched a red-tailed hawk fly by the window, about twice the
> height of
> the local trees, and it had a flock of 17 crows (one count) around it like
> bees around a hive, taking turns diving on it. Individuals peeled off the
> group and others joined it as it went over the neighborhood. I know
> whenever I hear a cacophony of caws that it's time to look up. I
> do feel a
> bit sorry for the hawks, and I wonder whether urban raptors do better
> (because of the abundance of certain prey species) or worse
> (because of the
> constant mobbing by crows) than their country cousins. Perhaps
> one cancels out the other.

Interesting thought. Here in sage brush / farm country hawks are obviously
abundant and have ample prey between ground mammals and snakes. There
aren't nearly as many crows to harrass the raptors, but around my farms
passerines take up for that slack.

Seems a self respecting Buteo can't go anywhere these days without a little
heartburn.

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Eric Henriksen, General Manager
Shaw Vineyards, Inc., Richland, Washington
Eric.Henriksen at gte.net
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