Tweets,

My post is a bit long, but this weekend I had the most amazing
experience in my backyard. Hope you enjoy!

This summer I have been enjoying my morning cup of coffee on my back
deck. Soaking up the sun, enjoying some quiet time for myself and
watching the flurry of bird activity in my yard as the morning sun
lights up the high canopy of the Douglas Fir, Red Alder and Western
Hemlock trees that surround my backyard.

Sunday I was out around 8:30am enjoying the constant chatter of House
Finches at my feeders. My eyes turn to the sky as Crows sound the alarm.
Calling and chasing about a small hawk 80 ft above me. The hawk is agile
and fast doing sharp turns and dives above me, weaving in and out of the
trees with the Crows close behind. The birds fly behind the trees and
disappear from view. I quickly run into the house to grab my binoculars
and Sibley. The mystery bird is a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk.

I continue enjoying my breakfast out on the deck, when the calling Crows
return, telling me something is up! The hawk and Crow quickly fly
through the yard. The Sharp-shinned Hawk tired from the relentless chase
lands high in a Douglas fir tree for a rest. All is quiet for a moment.
Then the accipiter must have had enough and starting chasing and
dive-bombing the Crow. The two birds flying above me. The hawk is fast
and agile quickly moving through the high canopy of the trees chasing
after the Crow diving and turning at full speed. The hawk flies into the
trees for a rest. The Crow flies off.

As the hawk retreats in the dense branches of my neighbors Douglas fir.
Two Pileated Woodpeckers fly through my yard, landing in nearby trees.
One works his way up the trunk near my deck and the second landing in
the tree with the hawk. I?m not sure who surprised whom, but the next
thing I knew the Sharp-shinned took after the Pileated woodpecker at
full speed. The two birds diving and turning above me in and around the
trees then through the yard, over the house disappearing from view. A
few minutes later when they returned the Pileated was chasing the hawk
at full speed. The woodpecker flying with wings tucked, neck and head
outstretched like a swift moving arrow. The two birds collide I hear the
impact as they hit. The hawk retreats to the tree for another rest. The
Woodpeckers move on to other trees

All the activity has attracted the attention of six Stellers Jay. The
jays fly around the trees checking out the situations. A Red-shafted
Flicker joins the flock. It?s been nearly an hour since this drama
began. The jays begin to clatter and call, flying in around the trees
where the hawk is resting. All the activity was beyond my view.
Eventually things quiet down and the jays leave. I assume the
Sharp-shinned moved on as well.

Adele Freeland
Federal Way WA
maamfree at verizon.net