February 17-18th, 2020 - Wasatch Hollow Nature Preserve and Open Space

February 17-18
Wasatch Hollow Nature Preserve and Open Space
Journal

Sunrise 7:18 am
Sun at 36 degrees altitude (180 degrees south)
Sunset 6:05 pm
approx. = 10 hours 47minutes of daylight

High today = 37 degrees

Days are getting longer with sun moving across the southern sky higher and higher.
The spring equinox is Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 9:49 pm MDT – about 30 days away.

In Wasatch Hollow, I was able to observe in the last two days: Northern Flickers, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Black-billed Magpies.

The Black-billed Magpies (BBMs) were in full force yesterday with about 10 ganging up on a Sharp-shinned Hawk (SSHA). The BBMs basically followed and harassed the SSHA relentlessly in Wasatch Hollow – near the back loop area – from tree to tree – they would go after the SSHA – and this went on for about 20 minutes.

The SSHA went after one Magpie – and I have several images of that encounter; but note that they SSHA was not trying to “take down” the Magpie (the BBM was 2x larger than the SSHA), but was trying to defend itself…and soon other BBMs would join in – and it was all too much for the SSHA to handle.

I wondered how much energy the SSHA had expended in this ordeal…and I observed how much attention a Hawk – will quickly draw in the Magpies.

here is one field note to consider: if you are walking in that area and you HEAR and SEE many Magpies dive bombing in and out a tree – and squawking – there is good possibility of an Accipiter nearby…Look up and see what the Magpies are doing…in this case – they sat within 5 feet away from the SSHA – basically alarming all other animals (birds that may be prey) in the area.

由使用者 scottdwright 在 2020年02月18日 23:05 所貼文