the red-wings at juanita bay park willfully attack great blue herons, crows,
gulls, and even the eagles, and have been as long as i've been going to the
park (not quite one year)... i've watched them literally bounce off those
birds they were attacking, and during breeding season, the females will
bounce off photographers as well (grin)...

00 caren
http://www.parkgallery.org
carenp at yahoo dot yeah com...


-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of ka7mcx at juno.com
Sent: Thursday, 2004 June 03 16:34
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Reporting live from Green Lake..........


Watching crows chase and attack eagles is a common sight at Seattle's
Green Lake. And during nesting season, the Redwing Blackbirds can
frequentlybe seen aggressively keeping crows away from their nests. But
today's actions by a Redwing were something entirely new, at least to all
those passing by who watched and commented.

The log near the lily pads which normally hosts three or four turtles
instead had become a perch for a Great Blue Heron. This seemed to really
upset one of the male Redwings, who was actively doing his best to evict
the Heron. Time after time he swooped at the log, but the Heron totally
ignored him, not even turning his head. Red Wings do have nests in the
area near the cattails; perhaps this male perceived the Heron as a threat
to the youngsters? Interesting watching, for whatever the motive.

John Pollock
Seattle
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