Yesterday our yard suddenly, and without warning, invaded about midday by
blackbirds. There were 67 Red-wings, 47 Common Grackles and 7 Rusty Blackbirds.
They stayed around for about an hour, taking to the air at the slightest
disturbance, then returning within minutes to gobble up the sunflower seed in
and under the feeders.
My wife heard a hawk calling in the backyard and we found a juvenile
Red-shoulderd Hawk sitting in the top of the walnut tree calling repeatedly. I
could hear another Red-shouldered calling back in the distance. During this the
blackbirds left and didn't return.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
Buchanan County
