I knew the day would be great when a Sharp-shinned Hawk visited our yard
first thing. And things only got better when I found a Coopers Hawk just a
few blocks south of State St. And of course the immature Bald Eagle that
flew by as I went under Main St. kept things going. But he seemed to want to
make sure I saw him, so he came around and perched on a large pine tree next
to the Fairview Ave. bridge. (Later I saw an adult as well.)
And while an A. Kestrel isnt rare, theyve become harder to find, so when I
saw one by the trestle it was also a treat. Then, on the edge of Ann
Morrison Park, while Susan and I were watching a perched Great Blue Heron, 2
Red-tailed Hawks came and landed in a fir tree up the hill from the heron. A
five raptor day and frost bite hadnt set in yet!
But the crème de la crème was an Osprey up in a tree, eating a fish, just
east of 50th St. on the Garden City side. A six raptor day and I was only
partially frozen. 😉
Then, while writing down my day list from memory, a Brown Creeper climbed
(crept?) up our backyard maple, and I had a 40 bird day. Too bad count week
doesnt start until tomorrow.
Tom McCabe, Boise