They're Back!

In mid-August we had a Cooper's Hawk here for a short bit.  It managed to take out 2 pigeons in 3 days.  I thought "oh man, they are early this year!" because normally we don't start to see migrating hawks in our backyard until mid-September.  But the hawk moved on.

Then nothing in way of hawks for many weeks.  I even commented to Angie how odd it was that we were not seeing any hawks all through September.

Now, mid-October, about a week and a half ago I saw another Cooper's Hawk.  This one appeared to be very thin.  It was not successful in a hunting attempt and left.

A couple days ago Angie spots one out back.  My first glance I thought it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk because it didn't look as big to me.  Another look and I agreed it was a Cooper's; perhaps a male?  With birds of prey, the male is smaller than the female, so a male Cooper's could be mistaken for a female Sharp-shinned with just a quick glance, missing finer details such as the shape of the tail tip for one.

Yesterday we had another visit from a hawk.  Now there was no mistaking that this one definitely was a Cooper's Hawk.  The screaming birds out back alerted me to the predator's presence.  

So like what I normally do if I feel like going outside for a better look, and hopefully a photograph, I step out the front door.  I then go up the side of the house.  I then put on my imaginary Ninja gear and go into stealth mode, trying to conceal myself at the back corner of the house, skulking along the back wall, the side of the deck, the greenery along the fence, whatever, just to hopefully see the bird and not spook it away.

I was fortunate yesterday because one part the bird was very focused on the hunt.  It was sitting on a piece of lattice that we have in the garden for our morning glory plant to have something to grow upwards on.  The hawk was peering down into the honey suckle bush beneath.

It was peculiar because most times the hiding birds will shut right up and it will be eerily quiet.  This time, not the case as the sparrows all screamed loudly.  The Blue Jays in the trees above added their own disapproval to the hawk's presence.

It wasn't long before the hawk made it's way to the ground...

and began a hunt around the perimeter of the honey suckle, looking for it's next meal.  Then not long after that, it came out with a sparrow in it's talons and flew up to a tree behind the shed to enjoy it's meal.

My poetic moment here...  I did not pursue as a hawk must eat too.  I've seen it happen and did it once myself a long time ago, flushing a hawk off it's kill, unintentionally of course, and the bird abandoned it's kill.  A wasted death.  A hawk goes hungry until the next successful hunt, if it makes it that far.  Often at this time of year, there is a juvenile on the brink of starvation out there trying to survive.  Spooking it away from a meal could be the end for that bird.

I was happy none of my pigeon pals were present and fell victim.  I wish I could warn them when they are here and all seem so content (and oblivious).  I know Charlie will catch on quick to the threat and most likely pull another disappearing act.

Oh the drama I create in our backyard!  How's your yard action?

Pure Evil

Last week a call went out for a volunteer driver to pick up a very young pigeon.  It was noted that the bird was rescued from a harmful situation.  I was at work and could not assist.  It was later in the afternoon and despite it being JUST a pigeon, I had hoped someone else would pick it up.  I say "JUST" because unfortunately pigeons are quite low on peoples' lists and can wait a long time for help unlike cooler birds such as hawks and owls.  

The next morning I woke up, still saw no other emails regarding the pigeon so I called in to inquire about it, if it still needed a ride and said I would do it if need be.  The bird's location was less than 15 minutes from us, which was good, because it was another work day for me.

No one had called in, so I got the information, and off I went.

I met a woman outside of an apartment building in Rexdale, Ontario.  She had brought the bird down in a milk crate with a couple t-shirts.  The bird was steadily crying.  Hearing baby animals cry always guts me  I got him in my car and then briefly spoke with the woman.  I had to know what about the harmful situation he was saved from.

As it turned out, someone had the little guy and was trying to wedge his neck in the spokes of his bicycle.  It was his intention to then take his bike for a ride with the pigeon stuck in there.  This would certainly kill the bird in a rather cruel and horrific way.

A young man happened to see this guy with the bird, confronted him, and then managed to take the bird from him.  I don't think there was too much of an altercation.  Apparently the individual has "issues" and is known in the community.  I would hope he's being monitored, perhaps even assessed by professionals.  I somehow doubt it.

The bird then spent 3 days in the care of his rescuer and the young man's mother.  They were trying to feed and care for him.  He was too young to feed on his own.  It was then they sought other help.  I later learned another person with an affinity for pigeons advised them to call the Toronto Wildlife Centre.  Then me, also having an affinity for pigeons did the drive.  Pigeon lovers unite!

I held off on this blog until I got an update.  He's doing well, eating, and is comfortable in the centre with his own kind.  Surprisingly, and thankfully, he has no injuries.  He was very lucky that someone who gave a s**t walked by when they did.

He was named Tweeky by his temporary caregivers.  At the centre, he's a patient with a number because they don't personalize the animals.  I will always know him as Tweeky.

Seeing this bird.  Knowing his story.  Having a name to go with that face.  Well it's all touched me so.  I've thought about him every day for almost a week now.  I've been haunted by the terrible tale of what was to become of him if not saved.  It is disturbing to know that this person is out there.  Obviously he's done things to animals before and will do it again.  To even come up with the malicious idea like he had here...  I hope he gets help.  I hope those around him see to it before he makes the news for doing something to another animal or steps up his game to harming another human being.

I've asked that if Tweeky needs a ride one day, to see the wild world again, that I can join in the release or do it myself.  This would be the perfect ending, the closure that I would like to have here.

Here is Tweeky as I transferred him from the milk crate to a card board box in my car.  I knew he couldn't fly yet but having him on a fresh towel in a box that closed up, giving him some darkness to lessen the stress was the intention.  Also the bedding in the milk crate was a little, um, soiled and smelly.  He still cried the whole drive to TWC because he was scared and starving.

Won't you wish him the best?

Still Here - October 2020

I haven't blogged here in a little while.  Bad me but with some valid reasons which I won't get into.  I wanted to pop in with a little of this and that, like I tend to do after a bit of an absence.

First off, we are still seeing one of the skunks very regularly.  He wanders about dusk and dawn almost daily.  It's been fun watching him grow over the last few months, getting bigger (and fatter) for the upcoming winter season.

He digs around the garden much of the time and has left a couple small holes in the ground throughout.  We don't mind.  We always say we would rather have a backyard with a lived in look and seeing the wildlife; over a pristine lawn and worrying if even a couple leaves fell on it and seeing no wildlife.

He sure appreciates the bath basins that he can easily get a drink from.

The neighbourhood seems to now have a resident raccoon.  I bet there's a dozen around us but this guy makes his presence known.  He's young and is out at random times during the day.  Most are respectful of seeing him, one neighbour kindly and softly says things like "you should be sleeping somewhere" whenever he appears in her yard.  We see him here a fair amount too and it's good that while he is out during daylight hours, he is cautious and skittish at the sight of humans.  He runs, ensuring there is a lot of space between us, when we step outside.  I kinda wish some people would do this, keeping space between us, during this pandemic.

I spotted an Eastern Cottontail in the yard last week.  This is the first one to be seen since back in the early spring.  Let's hope he becomes a regular like the winter visitors last year.  Perhaps he is one of them?

Ripper the Squirrel is still coming around.  Sometimes I won't see him for a few weeks.  Then we will have time outs on the deck for days in a row.  He's still awesome!  And we are in our 4th year with him.

Charlie the Pigeon is still another regular.  We had a Cooper's Hawk come in mid-August, which was rather early for us.  The Hawk managed to take out 2 Pigeons over 3 days but moved on after that.  Charlie went MIA for a few weeks which is her thing, being smart, knowing to stay away while danger lurks.  But she's back now.  It is odd that we aren't seeing any Hawks now into October.  I'm okay with that, as are my Pigeon pals.  I don't hate Hawks by any means but having the Pigeons and other birds here, well, you surely understand.

Charlie is just months away from her third anniversary with us.

I'm still volunteering with the Toronto Wildlife Centre when possible.

Here's some release birds from this fall that got a second chance.  Not very many stick around for a photo opportunity so when one does, I certainly take a shot at it (pun intended).  I've said this before and will again, I do not chase the release birds.  I stay where I am and just take in the positive moment, seeing these birds go back to a wild life.  I got lucky with a few of the birds in lovely autumn backdrops.

Bay-breasted Warbler (that is my guess...  fall warblers can be a challenge to ID)

Swainson's Thrush

White-throated Sparrow

I have an odd story that is blog worthy, once again about dealing with some of the public while picking up an injured animal.  I will leave that for another entry soon.

This was just a "I'm still here" blog notice.  I'm wondering if you are still here too?  Please say "hello" if yes.