With the quieting of our city streets, I’ve been noticing the intensive activity of our urban bird neighbors, who have been courting, homebuilding and generally flying about with abandon as us humans slow down. Pigeons and robins abound, but twenty-five years ago Cooper’s Hawks began colonizing urban and suburban landscapes throughout the US, developing a tolerance for living in proximity to humans, including here in Seattle. Since 2012 Seattle’s Urban Raptor Conservancy has monitored the local Cooper’s Hawk population nesting density and annual nest productivity.
Earlier this year the Capitol Hill Library received a visit from one Ms. 7-R, a young Cooper’s Hawk who, in an encounter with some unruly crows, stunned herself against one of the large windows. Fearing for her life we contacted the Seattle Cooper’s Hawk Project and learned more details. Ms. 7-R was hatched and fledged from a nest in nearby Volunteer Park, and was likely to be now out exploring for mate and home of her own. Fortunately, she was only slightly stunned and soon flew off on her own. We later heard she had been sighted in March near Frink Park in Leschi still looking for Mr. Right. To hear the cry of the Cooper’s Hawk, and see more helpful ID and life history information check out The Cornell Lab All About Birds Website. Continue reading “City Hawks”
Shelf Talk 