Today was a fantastic martin day. Sunny and warm. I have close to fifty birds back. All ASY birds still. Activity all day at the colony. Cavities being claimed. No nest building yet but it won’t be long.
This evening was especially enjoyable as the flock leisurely soared, feeding above the site until coming to roost just before 8 o’clock. I just love watching them soar as s loose flock. Sky was blue and air warm.
The last few nights my resident Cooper’s hawk has made a low flying pass through the site as he often does but tonight at 8:10 he made a pass out of nowhere right around the pole F and tried to nab a martin from one of the porches. Fortunately most birds were safely tucked in but the one bird that was out must have sensed the danger, or just got lucky, as he took off just ahead of the hawk and escaped danger. I saw the Cooper’s in full wing extension bank around the cavities and head back in the direction he came unsuccessful in his attempt. It was a quiet attack. No sound from the martin and no pursuit. I don’t see many of these attempts but I’m sure it’s not unusual and just as certain it’s not always a miss. The size of the hawk was awesome after a day of watching the much smaller martins. There are many other birds for the hawk , robins starlings doves etc that seem to be easier prey but when opportunity presents itself the martins are definitely on the menu. I here many other landlords talk of looses from hawks to the point their colonies are devastated but I hope I don’t become one.
