[CT Birds] UCONN - Horse Barn Hill

[Mntncougar at aol.com]

After the front went through I spent some time around Horse  Barn Hill today. 
 There was a flock of about 60 Horned Larks in the field  across the road 
from the horse barn  below the corrals.  I went down  the road west of the hill 
and spotted a bird on the fence line by the marsh  behind the chicken coops.  
Set up my scope and saw a gorgeous male American  Kestral -- first I've seen 
this year.  He flew from the fence and I lost  him, but when I looked up I saw a 
Coopers Hawk circling over my head - I assume  he spooked the Kestral.  As he 
flew off to the southeast the Kestral came  back and sat on the fence.  After 
a minute or so I looked back and he was  gone but there was a much larger 
bird there.  It turned out to be a Red  Tail and he had something in his talons. 
Guess he wanted to show off  because he flew up to the fence post right by the 
road and ate his catch.   I was worried it was the Kestral, but it turned out 
to be a squirrel.  The  tail was still hanging on the side of the post when I 
left.  I stopped back  an hour later and the Kestral was there again.  
Several other Red Tails  were in the area as well.  My day for raptors I  guess.
Don Morgan   
Coventry
 



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