----- Original Message -----
From: SCOTT MURRAY<mailto:scottbmurray at msn.com>
To: obol<mailto:obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 27, 2009 5:28 PM
Subject: [obol] Red-tailed Hawk passenger Ridgefield CBC


Hello All<
This morning while helping with the Ridgefield/Sauvie Island CBC I was counting at the railroad
tracks just before you cross over the Bridge, there was a Red-tailed Hawk eating something on
the tracks when a Train a came the Hawk flew up and into the side of the train then fell to the
ground at the side of the tracks. After the train went by I went to check on the Hawk it was
alive but injured so I decide to take it to a rehabilitation Center. Now the Adventure begins
The Hawk was alert and in no mood to be messed with after a few tries to get ahold of it
I finally managed to pick it up and get it to my pickup. Placing it on the front floorboards on
the passenger side where it seemed content to lay. thanks to George and Cindy Mayfield
for giving me the number to Portland Audubon Society I called and informed them I was
bringing the Hawk to them. All went well until shortly after I got on I-5 the Hawk jumped
and assumed a defensive pose and claimed everything with in reach off limits. Not to
bad we just kept a eye on each other and all went well until it was time to leave the
Freeway. The Hawk took offense of me trying to shift gears and would try to bite my
hand every time I shifted. At least ten stop signs and at least fifty tries by the Hawk
we arrived at Portland Audubon where when asked to bring him in I declined gracefully
as I didn't like the look in his eyes.
They checked him out he has a cracked upper Beak and the flight feathers on one wing
are damaged but they told me he doesn't seem to have any broken Bones they will X-ray
him to make sure.
When I returned to my truck I found a couple feathers and a small pile of you know what
I guess the pile was his way of telling me what he thought of being my passenger.
We both learned something the Hawk learned to stay away from trains and I learned to
Speed shift a Ford f150.
Yes I did return to the CBC count 52 species and one close encounter for the Day.
CBC's are fun and I will remember this one.

Good Birding
Scott Murray

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