I watched an interesting sequence around 7 am and got some of it in some really bad pictures. For Basin lovers, all birds in question also use the part of Ed Hill Road that is within the Basin. Indeed the Kestrel may be one of the young ones raised in house eaves on Ed Hill Road, and if not, a parent. (I have to see the pictures on my laptop before deciding)
A Kestrel was perched atop a sunning-favored dead tree. This tree is used by multiple species, from Mourning Doves to Redtail Hawks—early am and late pm. Good view of sun in both directions? It was being dive bombed by two very aggressive Barn Swallows and was raising its wings repeatedly to protect its head. (Empathy…our barn door in my childhood was guarded by defensive Barn Swallows) But it refused to leave between attacks. I don’t know that I have ever seen Barn Swallows swooping a falcon or hawk. Then an American Crow arrived, swooped down and that was too much. The Kestrel left. The crow didn’t even land, but apparently drove off the Kestrel on general principles, and continued on toward the field, barely getting off course. I guess young Barn Swallows in particular might make occasional Kestrel prey? I watched a Kestrel the other evening capturing something high in the air column, perhaps Green Darner dragonflies. Anne Anne B Clark 147 Hile School Rd Freeville, NY 13068 607-222-0905 anneb.cl...@gmail.com -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
