Yesterday, I heard a forceful sounding “kiw, kiw, keeeep” sound from a nearby cottonwood. Couldn’t quite place the call & thought, hawk-like sound, but not a high-pitched buteo scream. The numerous Am Goldfinches at the feeder…scattered. I was putting my tomato, hot & sweet pepper & wife’s ornamental flower starts in the green house & didn’t have my binocs (must remember: never, never leave the glasses behind!).

Stepped out of the greenhouse in time to see a Sharp-shinned Hawk sail by at eye level & land in a front yard blue spruce. It disappeared in the spruce & repeated the call. Moments later, two Sharp-shinneds flew out of the spruce. Flying in unison from spruce to spruce. Hopeful, but doubtful, they will nest so close to the activity of our home. Fun to watch their interactions, though.

This AM, the Blue Jay just came into the feeder. Its visits are much briefer now, lasting less than a minute & much less frequent. I see or hear the jay only a couple of times a day, mostly in the AM & only rarely in the afternoons. But, still around.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot