Birds

Beth
- April 07, 2008

Your writings have sent my eyes skyward! I love filling my feeders at home, mostly on weekends. Most of our time is spent at my son's school where I work. It is a small Christian school and I am in charge of publications and before and afterschool care, plus summer camp.

Anyway, I moved their playground to a wide open space beneath several pines and a few oaks. For some time we have watched countless crows, squirrels and doves. Since the weather has warmed we have regular visits from a flock of White Ibises. I like to call them herds, jokingly, because of the way they move together on the ground.

We have at least one resident hawk. I believe he is a redtail. He chases our doves when they come searching for crumbs from the children's lunches. Most of the classes eat lunch outdoors under our large pavillion.

Recently, actually just this week, we have watched two smaller birds. Their shape and flight seems to match the habits of the preditory birds, but they are smaller than the redtail we have come to know.

Thank you for your writings, your inspiration has helped me see the nature's finest work!

Dear Beth:

I must first thank you for your nice letter and return the compliment to you. Someone like you, who takes the children outside to expose them to the real world, is truly an inspiration for me. It sounds like together we can help turn things around by letting Mother Nature be our inspiration. It also sounds like you are on the right trail. Any trail that leads you to a natural conclusion is the right trail to be on.

The white ibises are among the most picturesque birds I have ever seen. I remember groups (herds) of them together in the rooty, dark green foliage of a black water mangrove swamp in the Keys. They would inspire any one's creative side.

If your single local hawk is chasing after the doves, it's not likely to be a Red-tailed hawk. They don't need to chase after birds to catch a meal in Florida. There is plenty of easier things to catch and eat—frogs, snakes, voles, large insects etc. They are more laid back in nature than say, a much more intense hawk, like a Cooper's hawk. Cooper's hawk and little birds go together like a barn cat goes with fast, little mice. It's their high energy attitudes. On the other hand, another hawk from your neck of the woods who has the capabilities to catch small birds is the Red-shouldered hawk. He is more of an opportunist like the Red-tail but he is a little smaller and quicker.

These are maybe the two hawks you have been seeing lately. Try to get a better look at them, a pair of binoculars would help. Listen to their calls, they are very vocal, especially in the spring. A loud descending—Kee-yerr! When you hear their call, you'll know where to look for them.

Thanks again for the nice note.

Naturally yours,

Dan