[mou] Sharp-shinned Hawk nest --- update

[Bruce W. Stahly]

Following up on last week's post about the aggressive Sharp-shinned Hawk 
I have been encountering:

Yesterday, I decided to risk a walk into the "danger" zone (where, a 
week ago, I had been aggressively dive-bombed by a Sharp-shinned Hawk). 
Apparently, the adults were both out hunting. All was quiet. I was able 
to spot one juvenile, out of the nest, with most (but not all) of its 
downy feathers gone. The bird was high in a spruce tree, which I suspect 
is where the nest is. The nest itself is not visible. The tree is 
directly adjacent to the path where I usually walk my dog twice a day, 
so I can understand the birds' concern.

Today I heard begging calls, so I decided to try for another look at the 
young hawks. Immediately, one of the adults raised the alarm, 
dive-bombed me, and this time struck me on the back of the head. What a 
shock. No damage done, not painful, just a big surprise.


Bruce Stahly
Grand Marais