Scott's theory is certainly a possibility because it does seem very strange for
the crows to go after a GBH rookery with all of the work and risk involved
compared to other feeding possibilities.

Another alternative explanation was e-mailed to me by Rayna Holtz, who
suggested that possibly a Bald Eagle might have been involved in the
altercation at some point. The actual observors didn't actually see what was
going on from their two standpoints on opposite sides of the rookery trees
because the foilage blocked their views. They only heard the noise and then
saw the bodies fall. Bald Eagles have attacked many of the local heron
rookeries and in fact destroyed a nearby rookery at Mileta Creek a couple of
years ago.

Ed Swan
(206) 463-7976
Vashon Island