Hawking June Beetles

[aoxa]

If only they could catch horse flies....

 

[centrarchid]

Hawking of June beetles as resumed again by two pullets in lay. June beetles out almost two months earlier than last and very abundant. Something was up when yard flock was foraging 30 minutes before sun up. They were collecting grounded beetles before they hid in the grass. In the evening after sun below horizon the pullets where doing the classical hawking while cock retreated to porch with kids as he appeared ready to roost. The beetles are very abundant again this year and an excellent protein source.

 

[centrarchid]

About twilight I observed two of neighbors ducks hawking for some low flying insects in a mowed field dominated by fescue. Female seemed to be more vested in effort while male was largely vigilant.