Re: raptors was: NOW mini-mansions and disgust

In the dim recesses of what passes for my brain, I seem to recall a
program in DC to introduce falcons to reduce the pigeon population,
but I can't remember what happened to them or it.

I have a couple of red-tailed hawks living somewhere around here. 
They are magnificent birds; had one get a starling one winter on the
deck about 5 ' from where we were looking out the window; held it's
wings over it while dining so nobody else could steal it.  Anyway,
yesterday, one of them spent the day on a branch in a tree near the
'back deck' side of the house.  Not a squirrel at the bird feeders
all day; the small birds and current chipmunk had a ball:-)

We also have turkey vultures around here.  Sometimes, when I put the
Xmas turkey carcass out on the slab for the foxes and other critters,
they come to get it. The crows don't like that and create quite a
fuss.  They're huge birds (the turkey vultures), really.  Not
beautiful up close, but majestic soaring in the air.

Also have barred owls; again, magnificent critters.  I love to hear
them calling of a summer's night.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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----------
> From: Bonnie Holmes <holmesbm@usit.net>
> 
> We don't have a program but the raptors have moved into the little
> Knoxville downtown where there are actually a handful of taller
buildings
> to eat the pigeons...the papers have featured them once or twice. 
We live
> around 26 miles from there along the TN River, which is also Fort
Loudoun
> Lake.  Frequently, we see a flock of around 50 turkey vultures. 
Sometimes
> they roost in one of the larger trees...makes a wonderful picture
in deep
> autumn...or, we see them catching wind drafts...beautiful. 
Occasionally,
> we also see a hawk or two.  A few years ago, we actually had eagles
on one
> of the river bluffs but there has been so much building, retired
snow birds
> who can afford these huge homes, that we don't see them anymore.
> 
> Bonnie Zone 6+ ETN
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Melody <mhobertm@excite.com>
> > re: raptors...
> >
> > For those of you who live in more urban areas, do any of your
towns have
> > peregrine falcon restoration programs? Seems cityscapes are ideal
> > habitats for these birds to adapt to as the tall buildings
apparently
> > simulate cliffs and there is usually enough of a rodent
population
> > around to keep them happy. Iowa City did this about a decade ago
and our
> > county now has a thriving population of nesting pairs and
> > offspring...they are truly magnificent to watch!
> >
> >
> > Melody, IA (Z 5/4)

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