Broad-winged Hawks

As mentioned in a previous post, I found (or, I should say, several crows found) an immature Broad-winged Hawk that I was able to photograph.  

Well, a few days later in the same place, the crows alerted me again to a Broad-winged Hawk.  Then, as I observed it, a second one flew into an adjacent tree!  Here they are below.

The crows were adamant to chase them off and there was quite an aerial display!  I managed to get the following action shots before both hawks flew off with the crows in pursuit:

I keep returning to the area (not much choice with the pandemic directives these days) but have never seen them since (as of two weeks now).

On a sad note (for me that is), the Cooper's Hawks from my previous post seem to have moved away without raising any young.  I was seeing them every day that I went looking and now it has been six days with no sightings.  I've checked the nest and it seems abandoned.  It has left me feeling bereft.  I think my emotions are very much on the surface these days with all the tragedy related to COVID-19 and sadness is a default frame of mind ... 

More neighbourhood wildlife!

Immature Broad-winged Hawk

It has been very exciting to find even more great wildlife while touring my neighbourhood.  The Broad-winged Hawk pictured above is a perfect example. Actually two such hawks were seen together which makes me wonder if they will be nesting.  I have already found a Cooper's Hawk nest and will devote future blog posts to both these species.

Male and female Mallards

White-breasted Nuthatch

A pair of these nuthatches has been scouting out a few tree cavities and trying them on for size.  I will continue to keep an eye out for an active nest.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Tree Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

European Starling

American Kestrel

I was thrilled to see a Kestrel.  This beautiful little falcon is on the decline and this is the first one I have seen in several years.