Hawks AGAIN!
 

OMG! My heartrate is still up there. I've been thinking about the threads about hawks/big predatory birds lately. Someone said they were going to listen for flapping noises from their wings as they fly in. I just remembered something... this is what triggered it:

I was just taking a break and I let 3 dogs out and stood to watch them at the door. We have a roof over the porch, so they go down to the yard not too far, like 5-10 feet. I'm looking at them, and see a huge shadow moving across the yard and out to the parking area. I think What the heck was that? No sooner after that thought came into my head, a spark went off in my brain and I just wildly ran after them into the yard. It was a hawk! I had seen that kind of shadow before... it took a minute to register. Then I can't see Tinkerbell.

Calling and calling... she hasn't come yet. I look up and see the hawk circling over the houses in the block, peeking down into the yards. Starting to panic, screaming for her to come... I can't leave the other two to go get Tink, but I kept my eye on that bird. Finally I hear some russling in the bush, and out comes Tink, jogging towards me. Whew!

The hawk was going further away, so we stood in the yard for a few more minutes. Then I remembered, hawks and owls and all the bigger birds... fly silently... they make no noise at all when they swoop down on their prey! So listening for them is not a good idea. This is the second time I saw an odd shadow... 8-12 feet long and maybe 5 feet wide.. it looked like just one wing! I know the hawk wasn't that big (at least I hope not, lol).

Anyway we're back inside, and safe! I just aged 10 more years! Just wanted to warn everyone to LOOK out for the beasts... you won't hear them coming!:eek:

how scary

I guess they would be pretty hungry birds if they made noise when they fly. No, it is actually eerie how quiet they are. Those owls have a huge wing span but are dead silent. The hawks in our area are very quiet as well. I can usually tell when one is around because the other small birds make such a fuss when there is a hawk around.

wow Kathy glad you noticed the shadow, I am going to goggle Hawks because I don't really know what they look like, thankfully Lola is used to going out by leash to potty

How scary! It seems like they are out more and more all the time...

I've heard of small dogs being snatched, lead and all! I have a very tiny front yard, I can make it to the gate in 2.5 seconds! (JK)(I did it in less time today) You know, my chest has only now stopped hurting... that happened almost 2 hours ago! Adrenaline... best drug ever! I don't even remember going through any doors! Lol!

When I worked at the Animal Hospital, I helped with rehabbing Raptors. I think I would have jumped on one if it grabbed one of my dogs! I don't fear them, I fear what they can do to a small dog!

They're all different... check specifically what's in your area. You can't see their heads too well, but when they fly over head, you can see the under parts of their wings which have distinctive markings. Then there's the diff between juvies and adults, male and female. Might even see a range map...

Omg! I hate hawks! Glad your babies were safe! :eek:

omg how scary i was at the edge of my seat reading the part that you called out for Tink. Thank god your babies are safe.

Good grief! The hawks are just invading! I'm so glad you were vigilant and could know what to listen and realize once you saw the shadow, etc. Too close for comfort once again but thank goodness those precious Yorkies are safe and you too! These hawk reports are all too frequent!!!

Eeek! Very happy you are safe. The hawks do seem more prevalent this year, and I agree, you can't hear them coming. When I sit in my kitchen, I see the huge shadows that they cast on the deck. They are brazen and circle over us on our walks in the neighborhood.

Silent and FAST :eek:
They are real "hit and run" artists.

I've been seeing more hawks in my area also. Weather change? I've seen two in the last couple of days circling the neighborhood. Usually I just have big noisy crows around. Scarey stuff.:(

Many species an most juvie hawks are migrating right now.

Here is a good link for exploring all the various raptors in North America. When you click on a species it'll show you a range map of where they are during the year.
Browse for a bird by name and shape, All About Birds, Cornell Lab ofOrnithology