I live in an urban area and the squirrels can be a pain, especially with their eating fruit, destroying bird nests and digging in our nursery pots. A year or so back a red tail hawk found out they were a good food source. He or she has really cut down on the squirrels. About a week ago we caught the hawk sitting on a limb near the house having supper (dinner for those of you further North). She let the whole neighborhood sit around watching and taking pictures.

I hope this is a she and that she teaches the kids how to hunt.

Ned

They need to be hired all over. They are specialized in urban guerilla warfare, need we look any further?

Over here we need to hire owls during the evening for the nocturnal roof rats that eats a lot of fruits.

Great pics Ned !

Here's how to encourage them to your area:

http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1602/eb1602.html

Thanks Joe. Some years back I use to have a screech owl house that a pair nested it. The little owls were unbelievable cute. I kept telling myself I will put up another one but never seem to find the time.

Great pics Ned. I don't know if we have Red Tailed Hawks round here but I keep my pellet gun loaded in place of them. I did get one squirrel this year so far & hope to get many more... & not ashamed to admit it. I hate those little suckers.
When I moved here I thought they were cute so I fed them out of my hand! Then I saw the damage they did. I say no more.
Population of squirrel's is going down here but no one thanks me!!!

Patty, I believe they live in pretty much all of America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-tailed_Hawk