[EBB Sightings] Coyote Creek Trail - A Fair Day for Raptors

We took the dogs out this morning walking north from 237 along the trail.
We spotted a WHITE-TAILED KITE for the first time in several months, which
was soon chased from its perch by a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.  Just about that
time a MERLIN came up from behind us and made a pass at bird near the creek.
It missed and ended up on the same tree where we spotted the kite, only to
be chased away by a crow.  Speaking of crows, there was a flock of about 100
in the corn stand adjacent to the Cisco building...quite a sight, and noisy
too!  Further up the trail, just pass the northern- most farm houses, we
entered Red-tail country.  There were 5 RED-TAILED HAWKS in view from the
same location, all perched in the dead trees along the creek.  Just before
the block pump house there was a male AMERICAN KESTREL on a wire that did
not mind us looking at him from within 15 yards.  On the way back, in the
dead cottonwood trees just north of the farmhouses, we spotted a HARLAN'S
HAWK.  It was patient with us as we got in for a closer look, than moved
further up the tree.  It was of the intermediate form with a fair amount of
white on its throat.  A juvenile COOPER'S HAWK was sitting on a tomato stake
in the field abandoned by the crows we saw on the way out.  As we watched,
the crows returned forcing the Cooper's hawk moved on. Numerous TURKEY
VULTURES made appearances during the walk.

Chuck Woodrum
Fremont 94539