She-Beast

We've had random visits from a Cooper'a Hawk the last couple weeks. For the most part I haven't seen the bird as it hides really well nearby. The lack of other birds is a sign. The stressed out Squirrels is another. While watching the birds from the kitchen window, I have seen the Hawk fly in or through the yard chasing other birds.

This winter I've gone a week or more without seeing my Pigeon pals Dorothy, Fitz and Charlie. I'd rather them be away and hopefully in a safer spot. I am sure this is not the only Cooper's Hawk around; January 20th proved that when I saw two in our backyard.

I really cannot differentiate these Hawks. Sometimes I think observing their attitude and hunting technique may help. Remember the unique hunter I had here a little while ago? Something about this Hawk from this past weekend reminded me of that bird. She came to ground and disappeared inside our Holly bush, trying to catch a hiding Sparrow.

It's been interesting watching this Hawk. She caught a Pigeon on both days. I did not see either take down, which I am okay with. It's a lot easier to watch things after the struggle is over from the prey, especially when one has a soft spot for these "victims".

Usually the Hawk is done with a Pigeon in an hour or so, something smaller, half the time. It's a matter of catch it, kill it, and eat it. This bird, this weekend, it went on for hours. Saturday was easily 3 hours of leisurely consumption. Sunday was even longer. She plucked. She ate. She had a time out and watched the world around her. There was a lot of personal preening happening throughout the meal too, leaving it and flying to a nearby branch!

As for these photos, anything from Saturday was me outside after I thought she had left. I was going to photograph some Cardinals and Nuthatches in the snowfall. Turns out the Hawk was still here and right behind our Holly bush. I guess she learned from me that this is a good hiding spot? Ha ha. She startled me as she flushed with the last remains of the bird. She carried it further down near our shed. I took some photos from where I stood, maybe moving side to side, but not any closer.

Sunday, after over 3 hours since I initially saw her, I looked out the window again and she was sitting in the snow, looking rather full and proud of herself. I decided it was a good time to try for some photos and went out the front door, sneaking up the side of the house and making my way to my viewing blind being the Holly bush. She was down near the shed. I could see she had consumed most of the Pigeon by this time. I took that the distance between the Holly bush to the shed was an acceptable distance for us, going by the play out one day before. I still took a very slow (quiet) approach to getting to the bush, being as quiet as possible. My light steps seemed to amplify in the snow.

The Hawk seemed to take little notice to my presence. Squirrels were running up and down nearby trees nattering at her. Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches vocalized their disapproval too. She was pretty much "ya, whatever" to the complaints.

Here are a few photos from the two encounters with her.

Saturday it was dark and stormy all day. She is way down back. Full zoom and some further cropping to the images.

I hate to think that is Dorothy (one of my hand feeder pals) because the wings are the same and even the chest pattern looks very similar. I didn't see her out there but I wasn't glued to the window watching all morning. Time will tell I suppose. February would mark 1 year with Dorothy coming to visit.

Oh Dorothy!

Sunday was an exceptional encounter. The lighting was much better. It wasn't storming. The temperature was around -30 Celsius with the wind chill. Brrrr!

I thought I spooked her and away she went; but I think it was the two p'od Squirrels who were right above her in the trees, racing up and down, jumping on the fence.

She landed about 15 ft over and I wasn't complaining about her being in better light.

About 4 pm, she flew off, leaving the last of the Pigeon on the ground. I thought that was it for the day. She had her fill. I happened to be looking out the window near 5 pm and caught sight of her flying in, grabbing the carcass, and then flying off out of the yard. I assume she took it with her to wherever she was roosting for the night?

As I key this blog, 9 Pigeons have come in. None are my pals. I call these "the commoners". They don't seem to be very wary of the threat that has been here lately; so perhaps these are some new birds who may learn the hard way this morning? Wouldn't that be fortunate for the She-beast (as I call her now)?

Happy Anniversary Fitz!

What more can be said? Thanks to Facebook, I see we hit our one year anniversary.

Fitz came in at a good time, about a month after all my old Pigeon flock left and never returned. He's a big vocal boy much like a Pigeon I used to know. Some days he's waiting outside the back door... much like a Pigeon I used to know. We've been through a few things the past year, like his molt.

He's a happier bird when that is done; and a lot more attractive too!

His visits have been random since the Hawks showed up for the winter. But he was here the other morning, popping in with a few others.

I hope he stays safe and our friendship continues to grow.

Oh Pigeons! What's not to love? Take some time to get to know one and you will see.

So This Happened...

On the weekend we had morning visits from an Opossum. If you read my last blog, you already knew that. He showed up 8:30 the one morning, and then 11:30 the next. A great sighting for us fans of these animals. Being avid participants with Project Feeder Watch Canada, we are attentive to the backyard for birds, and anything else that might come through.

I looked out for him Monday and Tuesday without any sightings.

Then Wednesday morning, not entirely thinking about it in my waking moment, just got the coffee going, when I look out the kitchen window and there he was roaming around way down back. I quickly bundle up and out I go as stealth-like as I possibly can. Once again I use our holly bush as my viewing blind. I watch. I take a few photos.

Wandering in front of the shed.

Where is he going? If you can see what is in the background, you know I'm getting a little excited.

At this moment I am like "Holy S**t!" in my brain.

I'm just shooting away to this moment, not looking at how the shots are turning out. Thank goodness they are decent enough to help tell this tale.

Woo hoo!

And in he goes.

Now from where I've been hiding, the distance to the dog house is roughly 40 ft. I stayed motionless throughout this encounter and did not make a sound neither. Unfortunately a few minutes later out he comes again, going back under the shed, out the hole in the lattice under the doors, and he's heading towards the house. I'm still at the holly bush, still hunkered down.

It was right after this photo below that I wish someone else was there with me. Someone who could have taken a picture of what happened next.

The Opossum was heading straight towards me. He did not know I was there. He got maybe 3 or 4 ft from me, when he stopped. He realized I was there, unintentionally blocking his path. I did not move. I did not speak. I just looked at him. He looked at me. I'm sure I could not hold back the growing smile on my face though. It was probably only a few seconds but felt longer. He then walked around me, quite close I might add. It was not a full on run for his life neither, just the pace he had going previously. And then just like the mornings on the weekend, he went up the side of the house, to the front, crossing the street and off behind a neighbour's house to sleep the day away.

I'm hoping he, or another, might make good steady use of our dog house at some point this winter. The house is packed full of straw to help keep an animal warm. Plus I really hate seeing them cross roads, even our small street.

I also hope for one day that a Screech Owl uses this Owl box as well. I've seen a Screech Owl a few times in the backyards. I've heard one a couple other times. I've found pellets on the roof of our shed. We had one in our other box. It can happen. Imagine that! A Screech Owl in the box with an Opossum in the house just behind. No I am not greedy at all!

Stay tuned for any updates. There is a follow button on the right side of the screen if that makes things easier for you.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It was a nice holiday season. No story telling so I thought I would share a few photos.

The #whiskykittys and I are well stocked for a good part of 2019.

We started on the new rye the last 2 Wednesdays.

One of our nieces sent me this all the way from Alberta. Such a cool surprise!

We did not get a Critter Christmas tree this year. Some years we just pick up a discarded tree from one of the neighbours, but even that so far this year, has not happened. The animals get spoiled all year long so it's not a big deal.

It's nice to see Fitz coming in but also avoiding the Hawks hunting our neighbourhood. I don't see him daily, and there's been many days without any Pigeons coming in at all lately.

Oh Ripper! What's not to love about this gentle soul?

A few outings here and there but the bird activity is rather slow. We enjoy every bird seen nonetheless especially the unique ones like this Wild Turkey we spotted on Christmas morning. We also saw a couple Coyotes in the area so this bird sitting up in the tree was a great safe spot. Wild Turkeys in Toronto is not a very common thing. This one we've seen a few times since the fall.

A Snowy Owl has been hanging out at one of the lake parks this winter.

There's not many Long-eared Owls to be found in the area but I found one.

Tis the season for quieter nights at home and any mammal sightings. I did see tracks after a recent snowfall.

Raccoon tracks across the deck, passing our back door, and heading over the fence into the neighbour's yard.

Two different sets of tracks on the lawn. One set going towards the house. The other set going away from the house. I believe it's two different animals because the one on the right shows some dragging movement over the snow while the set on the left shows just paw prints and the animal was able to carry itself over the snow. The snow was too light and fluffy to get any good prints to look at.

The biggest surprise of the new year was this Opossum showing up in our backyard 8:30 Saturday morning. He made a couple appearances over the next 45 minutes before leaving the yard again, and hopefully off to sleep the day away some where safe and quiet.

Someone has been using our doghouse behind the shed. I am not sure who but it does smell kinda skunky. It's been so tempting to peek inside but I'd rather not disturb and scare away a sleeping resident. The house is packed with straw. A couple weeks ago I looked inside and noticed a matted down area where an animal had bedded down at some point. Funny thing is that time there was no signs from the exterior of use and I was just curious if anything was going on. Now there's signs from the outside and I won't look in. I am definitely getting a trail cam very soon.

Who do you think might be using the house?

Well, that's it for now. Have a great week! And as always thanks for stopping in. Angie did a blog about our Christmas if anyone feels up for a bit more reading.

House Guest

My last blog of 2018. I meant to get this out weeks ago but tis the season to be busy.

We had a house guest a few weeks back. A Brown Bat. I thought it may have been a Little Brown Bat but apparently it's a Big Brown Bat. I've seen so few bats in decades, shows you what I know.

This Bat did not come from our house. A co-worker got a call from his frantic wife about it roosting on the ceiling in their living room. His wife was so freaked out that it prompted him to leave work early and take care of the problem. I had heard about the situation from one of the other guys which made me go find him before he left. I wanted to give my 2 cents on how to catch it, but also what to do with it once it is caught. It's December and the Bat should not just be placed back outside. One of the other guys also stopped him to talk to him about these things too. Our biggest fear was someone hurting the Bat. Bats (of many species) are rapidly declining in numbers. If we can help one, that makes a difference, if not a big impact to his species, at least to his own life.

The catch went rather easily for my co-worker. The Bat did not fly off as he approached. It was a quick and careful placement of a cardboard box over it, and sliding a piece of paper along the ceiling to detach the Bat from the drywall. Done!

I offered to pick up the Bat from his place in the west end of Mississauga. A short drive from work but in the other direction of my home. I knew Toronto Wildlife Centre could help this animal but of course I was already in talks with someone about the whole thing and ensuring he could go there.

My drive home was "fun" as the flasher switch in my truck went along the highway 401 and I had no turn signals. Nothing more to tell here but it added to the adventure.

I gave Angie fair warning earlier that I was probably bringing home a Bat to spend the night in our house. She was cool with it and appreciated the heads up, more so just about me being later coming home, since she would be asleep.

I got home shortly after 11 pm. I brought the Bat inside, still in the box, which is where he was going to stay until getting up to TWC. We didn't want to leave him in the truck as it was going down to -5 Celsius that night. It was best to keep him in a steady temperature while moving him around. We figure because of a spike in the temperature a day earlier, going up to +11, that probably woke him from his slumber. Only he knows how he ended up in that living room.

I put the Bat/box upstairs, closing the door to keep our cats from disturbing him. I had a look at him because I wanted to be sure he was okay, that he traveled well, and also that he was inside. I've had animals die on me in travel. You might recall I once brought home an empty box that I picked up from someone after work. A tiny Golden-crowned Kinglet was supposed to be inside. I never checked the box until I got home because it was after dark. Imagine my surprise and concern when there was no bird.

It was suggested that I hang a towel down the side of the box to give the Bat something to hang onto. I attempted that. It was at the invasion into the box, that the Bat suddenly awoke, and hissed at me. I worried he was going to attempt to take flight, so I quickly covered the top of the box. I slid a towel in the side, hanging it off the edge. I ensured his home for the night was escape proof and then went back downstairs.

I borrowed this image from a Google search. That is pretty much what I saw when he hissed at me.

The next morning, right before taking him out to the truck for the drive up to the centre, I checked on him one more time. He was hanging off the side wall, but not on the towel I provided for him. Instead he was hanging on the other side, clinging to the small air holes that were made with a pencil.

Away we went and he is still with Toronto Wildlife as I key this blog. He will stay with them until it is time for his release sometime in the Spring of 2019. The jist of it is he got assessed soon after arriving and then he went to a hibernation area where they keep Bats that have been brought in after being disturbed from their sleep by people, most often accidentally when suddenly found in their homes one day in the winter. I brought in a couple small Brown Bats a few February(s) ago if memory serves me correct. I recently got an update about him, that he is doing well, his weight was excellent, no obvious signs of anything wrong with him, and his story simply was as we suspected.

Another borrowed image from Google.

There was some chit chat on Facebook about the Bat through my bud's wife's page. I had a laugh at the many negative comments about the Bat. Most common word used was "gross". There wasn't hatred towards it nor did anyone wish harm. Bats have a bad rap with a lot of people. They are misunderstood creatures. Sure many can carry the rabies virus but they don't fly around looking to transmit it to humans. They serve a great purpose to the environment, eating thousands upon thousands of mosquitoes every summer. Any creature that eats those annoying insects is A-OK in my books. I commented a couple times and my last comment was talking about how different anything my wife Angie said about the whole adventure was compared to these people. She said stuff like "oh, he's cute!" and "can we overwinter him?" She was totally okay with me bringing him home for the night and keeping him in our house. I know I, and the creatures I have helped, are lucky to have her here, and on our side.

The list of temporary house guests grows. This Bat is the latest. Off the top of my head I can run off Downy Woodpecker, European Starling, and Pigeon have also spent the night inside. A Canada Goose, 2 Skunks and a couple Squirrels have spent the night here too, just not in the house. Who knows what will be with us in 2019? I hope nothing but it's good to know our home is always open to them if they need it.

Thanks to everyone who has followed my animal adventures through the years. I wish you all the best in 2019! See you again soon I am sure.

Merry Christmas!

Ho ho ho! Busy times with the holiday season that rapidly came upon us. I did start a blog but never got to finishing it. Another day in the not too far off future.

All the best to you all, and thanks for following my adventures.

The cats have been a little festive as you can see...

Merry.

Molly.

Ripper got in on the action recently. The Pigeons are afraid of my hat, but not him.

While our Cecropia Caterpillar "Heimlich" sleeps through the winter, we look out to his home daily from the kitchen window, and made it a little festive too.

See you all again soon.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Close Encounter with the Cooper`s Kind

Earlier this week I had the most exciting memorable moment with a Cooper's Hawk in our backyard. In over 10 years of backyard birding and seeing this species of Hawk, this particular morning will stand out in my memory for a very long time.

It's funny because I had just finished a blog about local raptors that are in the area once again for the "winter season". I even lightly touched upon seeing this Hawk at the end of the blog. It had just caught a House Sparrow and while that is a small meal for a Cooper's Hawk, I thought that was going to be it. Boy, was I wrong.

Early morning catch as the snow fell.

It looks like a male House Sparrow.

Then about 90 minutes later I see the Hawk is back. And he's got something again.

I watch from the deck as he seems to pounce up and down on his prey. The bird is still alive. He flits it across the lawn a couple inches and jumps on it again. I've never witnessed what seems like playful behaviour from a Hawk on it's prey. Maybe this is a young Hawk? He picks up the bird and flies down back behind the shed. You'd think it wasn't even in the same day or morning from these two photos. The full sun quickly melted much of the snow away.

Clearly here the Hawk has a female House Sparrow.

He took his 2nd kill up to the trees to eat it in peace as a Squirrel came in and gave him some grief (which I watched from the comforts of the window enjoying a 2nd coffee).

So now he's devoured two House Sparrows this morning. That must be it. Right? HA!

About 2 hours later, I'm preparing to go to work when I see out the kitchen window that the Hawk is back again. He's on top of my brush pile, bouncing around, looking into it from above. I put on my jacket and boots, grab my camera and step out the front door, sneak up the side of the house to the back and make my way to the holly bush where I feel I can watch and not be invasive. Normally I stay well back, hiding at the corner of the house, peeking around the wall to the action, keeping my distance. But since this bird already ate 2 Sparrows this morning, I bent the rule and moved further into the yard. Boy am I glad I did.

I've watched this play out in past days with this bird hunting the brush pile. He will come to ground after a look from above. He will then pace the exterior of the pile. Then he will move in closer. Click on the photos to go full screen.

He goes in deeper.

Then he disappears. I know he cannot get right in the pile but there is some space between the pile and the raspberry bush as the Skunks and Opossums have cleared a way with their nightly roams.

On Sunday I witnessed the Hawk walk back out with a House Sparrow in his beak. This Tuesday morning, after 2 successful catches that were maybe or maybe not from the pile, he comes up empty.

I'm about 20 ft away, behind my holly bush, but he pays no attention to me. This bird is on a mission.

I had been second guessing myself on making the brush pile. Since he was plucking hiding birds right out of it, did I just make a death trap? Let's leave out the fact that what I've witnessed for kills has been the not so popular House Sparrow.

I felt better as I watched him now walk, not fly, but walk over to the honeysuckle shrub and do the exact same thing as he did at the brush pile.

In he goes.

He would disappear, surface slightly, disappear again.

No birds in here either. Damn!

He leaves the ground and flies up to a nearby fence post. He's not much more than 10 ft in front of me now.

I'm in total awe at this close encounter. I don't move. I don't see how my photos are turning out, I just snap away. A big "F**K!" came out in my head when I finally looked at my screen.

I change my settings. I take a couple more pictures. Then I just watch him with my own eyes and not through the camera for a short bit. I really need to leave my spot, get back in the house and finish getting ready for work. A couple more shots before I go.

Something has his attention.

A lone Pigeon has flown into the yard, landing behind me. A second later and the Cooper's Hawk is rocketing from this post, right over my head and after the bird.

I turn around to see the Pigeon race away. The Hawk almost has him a couple yards over. As soon as the Pigeon has an opening beyond the houses, he makes a sharp left. The Hawk gives up in the open space, veers right and comes back to the yard. I take this as my time to leave the yard and get on with my day, allowing him to get on with his hunting despite there not being another bird around.

Early yesterday I managed to witness a Sharp-shinned Hawk fly in and nail a House Sparrow on the lawn. It stunned me how fast it happened. The Hawk quickly took his catch elsewhere to eat. The yard remained eerily quiet the rest of the morning.

Today, the feeders are still barely touched after the last 2 days.

I was once asked if I watch the nature channel. I replied with "no, I have my own live channel at home".

We are fortunate to have a house with a backyard here in Toronto. It's amazing what we can see right here at home. Being home and idle allows me to see things that I probably would not encounter exploring parks and woods in search of birds and wildlife.

Birds of prey play an important role in the wild world. Some people really need to accept this fact. I worry over my other birds coming in, especially some backyard favorites as my friends know. But I acknowledge that this is their way of life (and death).