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Birds of Prey



Carolinabirders:

With all the conversation about eagles and gulls as predators I thought I 
would pass on an interesting observation at the NC State dairy farm pond 
today.  I had stopped at the shallow end of the lake to check for ducks among 
the huge flock of Canada Geese when I noticed a hawk in the tall, bare-limbed 
tree in the pasture where the Merlin usually sits.  It turned out to be an 
immature Cooper's Hawk.  As I was watching through my scope an Eastern 
Bluebird flew right into the hawk which just sort of jumped up and snared the 
bluebird.  Talk about waiting for the game to come to you!  

The hawk flew with its prey to a denser limbed tree with foliage in front of 
the barn.  I followed to check out a Northern Shoveler near the dam, and down 
feathers began to drift down around my car.

Clyde Smith
Raleigh, NC
Smith82534@aol.com