 This
Cooper's Hawk, which I now believe to be Emma, has also had an extremely
challenging winter. It appeared to have broken its right leg when it crashed into a
neighbors window last October and fell stunned to the lawn. After about 15
minutes, it stood up on its left leg and hopped around a bit before flying
to a nearby branch and perching with its right leg still tucked into its
breast feathers. This picture was taken last week when the hawk perched in
Ward's favorite tree for almost an hour. For the entire time, it kept its
right leg tucked into its breast feathers while perching on its left leg.
As it prepared to fly away, it finally lowered the right leg, but
only gingerly touched the branch when a gust of wind nearly blew it off
the branch. It would be unusual for a raptor to survive this long with a
broken leg and I will be watching the hawk's nest carefully to find out if
this hawk uses it in the spring. |
While Ward
has remained in the area throughout the winter, I've heard nothing from
June for more than two months. Ward is shown here as he checks out
the roof after entered the nest last week to escape pursuing crows. I
suspect that June was forced to seek better hunting elsewhere when the
weather took a bitter turn in mid January. Hopefully, the warmer
weather that we are now experiencing will encourage her return. Without another
owl to call to, Ward was less vocal than usual for most of the winter, but
recently issued his monkey call
from the rail of the nest box during a nighttime visit. If they are to
nest this year, activity should pick up soon.