Over the fields to the east of Lake Tye in Monroe a Harrier was cruising
around and for whatever reason decided to chase a lone crow. It followed
after the crow for a good minute and then the crow was joined by 3 or 4
others. The Harrier and crows kind of danced around each other and then
drifted over the corn field and suddenly out of nowhere, 10 gazallion crows
popped out of the corn field and the harrier was surrounded in a cloud of
noise and black wings. Surprise! The Harrier made a fast escape and pulled
away from the mob who did not follow but returned to the corn field. After
it was over I wondered if the 3-4 crows deliberately led the harrier into
the area where they knew help was. A crows idea of a practical joke?

A bit later a Bald Eagle came diving down talons out into a what turned out
to be a small group of ducks hanging in a wet spot in the field. The ducks
did not move (and I did not see them) until the eagle was maybe 8 feet from
the ground and they all scattered flying low to the ground, barely over the
top of the grass. The Eagle turned and pursued one which made it to the
corn stalks and disappeared leaving the bird of prey to pull up and then
soar to the north. I wondered if the ducks choose that particular puddle
for its closeness to the corn cover. A couple students went into the corn
stalks and were surprised to spook up more than 200 mallards. The corn
stalks are a popular place these days.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish County