Today started out gloomy. I’m not a fan of gray skies but ok… I will make the best of it!
As the clouds rolled in, I was sure it would rain and decided it wasn’t the best day for a car wash. Otherwise, it would definitely rain as it often goes. My birds were out early today but I needed to run to church for confession and so I just had time to wash out the water bowls for clean water and to place 1 bowl of food hidden under a lawn chair on the ground plus a bowl of 120 mealworms for the Sparrows. Reluctant, since I prefer to feed my birds while I am home to keep an eye out for predators. I knew that if I didn’t, there would be crowds of birds lying around waiting for food to show up. Plus, I knew they would definitely attract predators in doing so, I opted to leave the food. When I returned home, I had work to do but noticed the finches at my door letting me know they wanted their food. Yes, they let me know they are hungry by approaching the door in desperate times. I slowly cracked open the slider and let them know I’d be out soon and they quickly flew back to their tree to wait.
While preparing their feeders, I noticed a small predator in the tree outside the fence. I thought it was a Kestrel back for a bird but then I took a zoomed in photo through the cracked door and it appeared to be an immature Cooper Hawk. I would say Sharpie, but the tail was more rounded even though its face was like a Sharpie. Maybe it was a Coopie! HAHA… but not actually funny. These predators stress me out! I understand they need to eat, but I don’t want them crashing my bird brunch.
I quickly made my presence known. Sometimes, it’s enough to scare these predators but not this one. He was on a mission and I too was on a mission to silence my birds and keep them safe. Eventually, this Coopie well just call him, flew off but I know better. I waited a bit and then I decided I could wash the empty ground bowl of food, refresh all the water and then feed my Finches and Sparrows with another round of worms. This time my Towhee’s were here and I waited with my birds under the patio umbrella as they ate. Standing by on the lookout, I heard the birds screech and all shuffle into the trees. The Coopie was on the attack and I turned around as he was whipping by so I ran after him and he quickly turned around and went after a finch. I saw my swift little bird out maneuver the Coopie and get away. The Coopie flew off to the field and quickly found a new victim. I’m not sure what happened because they were out of sight.
It began to hail and I started to freeze outside. I wasn’t sure it was safe but I knew I couldn’t leave my birds and so I perched under the umbrella and moved their bowl of worms this time, behind the tree, There was no way I was making it easy for Coopie! I was prepared, hose in hand perched under the tree freezing as my little White Crowns ate. I also decided to take down the feeders in the trees and just go with the hidden ground feeder and the behind the tree feeder;. We were making strides! While the predator did not quickly return, I was able to go inside and warm up for a bit. I took care of some business on my computer and then I noticed that Coopie was back and he brought backup. Wait, What? Could this be possible? A Coopie and a Red Tail? Why wasn’t the Red Tail trying to eat Coopie? I instantly felt sick to my stomach, then I just hoped that my Mockingbirds and Towhee’s would not show up. I also prayed that my little Sparrows and Finches would stay hidden.
I knew that it was time to show myself. Once again, I stepped out into the cold and it actually began to hail again. Yuck! This was the worst timing ever but eventually Coopie and what appeared to be a Red Tailed Hawk decided to retreat. I was in the Twilight Zone of predators yet I knew that it wasn’t the end of Coopie. He would return for another round in the yard but was unsuccessful until I saw a little male finch make a dash for it. Again, I’m not sure if Coopie was successful at catching my little guy but he may have been and that makes me sad.
Last call for my birds, and I placed a full bowl of mealworms behind the tree and waited a few steps away under the umbrella while they ate. As I froze perched under the umbrella, I contemplated what I would do the next day. I don’t want these predators returning to this local birds hotspot. Oh the dilemma of to feed or not to feed and yet I can’t remain a fixture under my patio umbrella. My birds need the protein and fats to stay warm and so I will need to think this through with their health and safety in mind.