Flying Friends and Foes Over My Flock

[centrarchid]

Can you see them? I bet you cannot see any chickens even through about 75 are within the field of view.

 

[cmom]

The picture is far away like looking for a needle in a haystack.

 

[centrarchid]

Before first photo taken I could hear Barn Swallows behind house making alarm call for house. In flight, they are concerned typically only about American Kestrels, Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks. Without being able to see their target it was apparent where action was because the young swallows I could see where flying above adults that were dive bombing the threat. Once the group started to move over the poultry yard I could hear chickens give call for hawk overhead just as I could see it for first time. It was a Coopers Hawk starting up on a thermal and trying to get into position to catch a young swallow. At time only a few chickens out small enough for hawk to take and adult chickens are able to repel a Coopers hawk. In the foreground is a dragonfly photo-bombing.