[obol] Sharp-shinned Hawk question (long-winded)

[Larry McQueen]

Linda,

You didn't mention, and you may not have noticed, whether the sharpies were
adults or immature.  If any were immature, even though it seems late, one or
two may still be hanging out with a parent, which may explain the defensive
behavior.  On the other hand, if it was an immature bird that was diving at
your dog, it could be explained as a playful gesture or just naive.

Larry

-----Original Message-----
From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu
[mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Linda Fink
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 1:32 PM
To: obol
Subject: [obol] Sharp-shinned Hawk question (long-winded)

A couple days ago, while working in the arboretum, a Sharpie dove over 
me and then circled back to the dense stand of young doug firs just over 
our hedgeline into the neighbor's. It perched on top of one of the 
15-20' trees and glared in my direction. It didn't seem to come very 
close to me on its dive, but... I kept watching (no binocs, just a 
shovel). After five minutes or so, it dove again -- at our black 
livestock guardian dog lying near me. And again circled back and landed 
on a fir tree. I could understand if it were protecting its nest but 
this is hardly nesting season.

Today, as I was out doing chores, I saw 2 Sharpies jousting over those 
same fir trees. The neighbors have about ten acres in tightly packed fir 
trees across the fence from our arboretum. I couldn't tell if one 
Sharpie was trying to drive the other off or if it were a pair fooling 
around. But they soon landed, not far from each other, on tops of firs. 
So I concluded they're a pair. Shortly thereafter, I saw 3 small hawks 
battling in mid-air, a bit west of the firs, still just across from our 
arboretum and heard the cries of a Kestrel. One has been hanging out 
here lately. I didn't see if the Kestrel left or drove the others away 
but the 2 sharpies soon returned to their perches at the east end of our 
arboretum.

Would they be defending next year's nesting territory already? Or 
defending hunting grounds?

Later this morning, a Sharpie appeared out of nowhere in front of the 
barn and nabbed one of the sparrows feeding on seed I'd just thrown out. 
I don't know who he grabbed -- there were mostly Golden-crowns out 
there, along with some House Sparrows, juvenile White-crowns, Song and 
Fox Sparrows and Towhees. Plus one White-throated Sparrow. I was worried 
the White-throat bit it but saw it later on so the Sharpie probably got 
a House or Golden-crowned. They seem the least wary and tend to flip 
around in the driveway arguing instead of hanging next to the thick 
bushes, where I throw the seed.

Anyone know if Sharpies set up territories over winter and defend them 
against dogs and other hawks? Our resident pair of red-tails watched the 
action from high on their perches at the tops of giant firs some 
distance away.

Linda Fink, SW Yamhill County near Grand Ronde

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