I went birding for a couple of hours this morning in Russell County, VA to
Rosedale and Clifton Farms Road. As I was traveling Clifton Farms Road I saw a
raptor sitting in the top of a dead tree. Stopping to look I saw a small
Cooper's Hawk. There was an American Kestrel on another branch less than 15
feet from the Cooper's. They sat there for a minute or so then the Cooper's
Hawk took to the air and dived on the Kestrel. The Kestrel ducked but did not
fly. The Cooper's Hawk dived several more times then landed on his original
perch. He flew and dived on the Kestrel twice more before flying on across the
fields. The Kestrel sat there for a few more minutes then he dropped to the
ground caught an insect then returned to his perch. He did not seem bothered by
the attack from the Cooper's Hawk at all.
Also at Stuart's Pond I had 6 Green Herons. There have been at least 4 and as
many as 8 Green Herons at the pond for the past 2 weeks.
Tom
Tom & Laverne Hunter
Russell County Bird Club
Lebanon, VA
