Happy Birthday, naglady!
Sorry for your loss, bluebird
Even when you are outside with your flock free ranging, you still need to be on the look out for hawks. I was outside in the backyard playing with my two dogs. We're chasing each other and the dogs are running around. The hens were free ranging out in the back, also. Such a happy scene. Even my old cat was out with us, following us around. All of a sudden, the chickens start running towards the bushes. Not 10 feet from me, a hawk swoops down and lands on the ground between a couple of chickens!! It just sat there, while I stood in shock and then reality hit and I ran towards it and it flew off, but now far. To the neighbors tree.
This is actually the second time the hawk has landed among the chickens. It's a Merlin hawk. Not common around here, but hey, they have wings and can go anywhere they want! So, be alert and look up and scan the trees and poles and rooftops often!