New neighbors

[Robert McCallum]

After a recent unsuccessful hawk attack, I told my neighbor across the street about it. He is familiar with Cooper's hawks and told me he knew where the nest is. I've been hearing that the hawks are just passing through on migration so was doubtful, but he showed me and sure enough, right across the street there is a great big nest and we have seen Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. Maybe that's why I haven't received any visits from any SYs yet.

Since they have a nest, presumably they will produce young needing food. What do you feed to Cooper's? Shall I flip crickets?

Oh, woe is me! Can't provide pictures because it is so well hidden high in an old pine tree. Anybody want to cut down a pine tree for fire wood?

[The Olsons]

I feel REALLY bad for you Who's Pinetree is it? A Neighbor's or just sitting there....there is a lot of people who love to make an extra bug....

Astrid

[parkerdes]

Why don't you try flipping some S & S at them for breakfast?!
I saw 2 different hawks way up in the sky this weekend. The smaller more sleek hawk seemed to be chasing the larger hawk away!
Maybe they are the reason I don't have any PM's or maybe it is the raccoon I saw today or maybe it is the HOSP I shot today...

[kratz71]

Hey Robert, I know it might seem like your martins are in for certain death because of these coopers hawks but I wouldn't worry too much. I can only say this because we had the same situation at our previous colony for 5 years. The coopers hawks were nesting in a cypress dome about 100yds from my 2 gourd racks. They did launch many attacks from those cypress trees and did catch a few martins over the years. However we still managed to fledge over 120 martins each year from 24 available gourds. The martins will adjust their habits to avoid being caught by the hawks. they will not socialize as much on the housing and will quickly enter their compartments. They will also leave quickly and will not hang around on their porches. I also noticed the parents rarely brought the young back to roost once fledged. There was one positive about having these hawks nesting so close. They often would harass and chase off any owls as they tryed to roost close to the colony. Unfortunately these hawks will attack martins anywhere, even if not nesting close by. We moved to a much more open sight and the martins are still attacked and caught occassionally by coopers hawks. Good luck and keep us posted.

Mike