We have one or two Red Tail Hawks that hang around our place and prey mostly on squirrels. I was in the greenhouse today and heard some crows after something in the tall pines by the nursery. I know when I hear them, or the blue jays, making a fuss it is usually the hawk or an owl they are worrying. Today it was a hawk. He (or she) had found a squirrel nest at the top of one of the pines, by the nursery. The hawk was tearing at the nest, and debris from the nest was falling to the ground. He/she was concentraiting on the job at hand and ignoring the crows. After a few minutes I heard a squirrel squeal and the hawk flew away with at least one young squirrel in his talons! (The pine is tall, so it was hard to see excactly how many he had, but one for sure.)

I have never seen a hawk raid a nest like that, before. I have seen them catch grown squirrels, but never saw one raid a nest. It is plain to see why the other birds don't like the hawks. Sure wish I had that scene on video!

Ned

Ned we have lots of Red Tail hawks, some eagles, and also lots of owls around here. They feed on rabbits, and I suppose other small animals such as mince, and from time to time on cats. - Millet.

Since hurrican Ivan thinned the trees around here the hawks have been keeping the squirrel population way down from what it was. I have counted over 20 in my back yard at the same time--now I don't even see one every day. Thank you Hawks!

I think the hawks are really getting into squirrel as a food source. I have had several golfers tell me they have seen them waiting around the edge of the tree line at the golf courses, catching the squirrels when they ventured to far out in the open.

Millet, I sure hope one doesn't catch her favorite cat! I suspect the cat would be way down on the list of things a hawk would want to pounce on. I don't think a full grown cat would go down (or up) without a fight. Anyway, I hope that is the way the hawk sees it. Someone at the beauty shop told my wife that a hawk caught their little dog, and she has been worried about the cat ever since.

Ned