Northern Harrier - Fly-By Human Inspections

1 year ago
6

Have seen a mating pair here all year. Most NHs migrate out by November although some overwinter locally. Just reviewed a hawk clip from last winter but was inconclusive ... at any rate, two had settled into the local cattails and had been observed all summer. Have some unposted clips of the sparrows and other passerines harrassing the hawks in their midst; nearly all of those have migrated off by now and seems the NHs are focusing on field prey.
1. I had not heard of a "marsh hawk" until indeed seeing these birds apparently land in the middle of the freak'n creek ... in truth an elevated platform or high pile of brush as a nest among the cattails.
2. NHs have an owl-like disc face that, like owls, helps focus sound when hunting.
3. These hawks have seen ME several times as they ranged as far as the fields behind the farm. However, they seem to be in the fields more and had a casual, low fly-by inspection pass several times. Never have they shown a hint of concern about the passing monkey.
4. HUGE flocks of blackbirds are scared out of the same marsh area during the evening. I assume they nest there but notice ALL are gone in the morning. The flocks seem to move along the creek then back to a pond further down but are very noisy/numerous when in area. Unknown if this is a factor for them being in the field. They also prefer mice/voles so who knows.

Loading comments...