New yard bird and other goodies

["Robert C. Perkins" <rperkins@infi.net>]

      On a day dedicated to the first Carolina Butterfly Society trip 
of the year at Raven Rock State Park, I had 37 species of birds split 
between Harnett and Cumberland Counties.   The highlights up in 
Harnett were four kestrels and my first yellow-throated warblers of 
the year.  I also heard a black-and-white warbler quite clearly but 
couldn't find him.
     Here at home I was doing laundry and looking at my backyard 
feeders as often as possible, tallying the usual suspects as they 
appeared.  However, the large accipiter that glided to a landing in a 
tree on the lower side of the yard was completely unexpected.  I got 
two fair looks at it in the air.  While it sat for a few minutes, I 
looked carefully, noting the thick legs, rounded tail, large head, 
and a crown that was almost black, darker than the nape or back.  An 
adult, female Cooper's hawk.   While I've seen more sharp-shinned 
this winter than in any previous one, I hadn't seen a Cooper's in two 
years.  I'm happy to be able to add it to my year and yard lists.

Bob
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Robert C. Perkins, Ph.D.
Historian and General Outdoorsman
Fayetteville, NC 28311
rperkins@infi.net