Originally Posted by
Nrrrrvous
Returned to my property at Smith Mountain Lake this week. Somewhat disappointing. Seems a bear (or some other fairly large animal) took down my feeder and proceeded to dismantle it piece by piece. Broke the branch that it was hanging from that was about 1 and 1/2 inches in diameter.
Also, still seem to only have 1 hummingbird. He's a very active little guy, loves the feeders and the lilacs but I would have thought we would get more than one. I feel for the little fella, he's gotta be lonely.
Also, it seems as though a young hawk (not sure what type, haven't gotten a good look at it yet) has taken up residence in the woods just beside the house. I hear him/her almost all day. (is that normal?) I believe that it's presence is limiting the other, smaller birds visits to the back yard. Or, I guess it could just be that I need to get a new feeder up.
Sound is helpful. Red-shouldered hawk has a two-noted call, which it repeats. The larger red-tailed hawk has a scream that gradually fades out. Don't overlook a possible Cooper's hawk -- they love woodlands and make an otherworldly series of barking notes -- almost metallic. The female Cooper's is about the same size as a red-shouldered.
From the Sibley Guide to Birds:
Red-shouldered hawk -- "...adult territorial call a high, clear, squealing keeyuur, keeyuur... repeated steadily."
Red-tailed --"A distant, rasping, scraping scream, falling in pitch and intensity cheeeeeewv."
Cooper's -- "Adult at nest gives a series of flat, nasal, barking notes.. pek, pek,..." This is a real "what was that?" call.. a bit scary.
Sage Grouse
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