I told you that I had a mockingbird nest in the honeysuckle tree this spring. There were 3 lovely little pale blue eggs with brown speckles resting in a cup shaped nest, so sweet. Only one of the eggs hatched but the parents tended it faithfully. I didn’t see it fly off but I always hoped it did.
A few weeks ago, I heard a hawk keening in the back area. Lil Zen and I found a dead mockingbird chick on the pavement. We realized the hawk had dropped it and put it up on the fence for him to take but he flew off. I suppose Razzle might have been a factor. We disposed of the little thing but found another in the same spot a few minutes later. We surmised that the hawk had left both of them in the garden and Razzle had moved them to the spot she leaves things for me. (Like dead rats) Anyway, the sound of the hawk talking smack about the whole situation filled the air here for a little while.
In the last week or so, I have heard that keening but have not seen the hawk, even though I have heard it a lot. Yesterday, I was gazing out the window while ironing and saw a mockingbird on the wire. He opened his mouth and out came the hawk’s voice! He gave that cry a couple of times and then moved on with his regularly scheduled routine. It was a jolt!
I wondered what effect it might have on the rest of the fauna that inhabits my garden. Do they realize it is just the mockingbird or do they scurry off to avoid the hawk? What does this do to the hawk’s ability to hunt successfully in this area? Inquiring minds want to know.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care! IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!Monday
Crimson Quillfeather alternate with
Tuesday ejoanna
Wednesday Pam from Calif
Thursday art ah zen
Friday FloridaSNMOM
Saturday ?
Sunday loggersbrat