The Barred Owl is the most
common bird we admit to the Kathryn G. Favre wildlife hospital.
Next in line is the
Red-tail Hawk. We receive around a
hundred per year. Of this number,
the majority have been hit by cars.
You may have seen the Red-tail Hawk hunting near a roadside, perched on
fence posts and telephone poles.
They use their excellent eyesight to find mice, rats and rabbits in the
grassy areas near the road. These
hunters are sometimes struck by vehicles as they swoop down to catch their
prey.
Volunteer veterinarian Dr. Stacey Schaeffer and Sanctuary Manager Joe Hoffmann examine a newly admitted hawk (photo: Pat McGrath)
Red-tail hawks are very
common and they are very helpful to us.
Many farmers have told me stories of Red-tail Hawks accompanying them as
they drive their tractor or combine in their fields. As the tractor spooks the rodents out of the crops, the hawk
captures them for its dinner and to feed its family.
Many people are unaware of
the wild kingdom outside their car windows. Sometimes family, friends and I count hawks along the road
just to make the time fly as we travel.
It is good to realize there is more than just traffic out there.
Distracted driving was
invented by bird watchers. It
might not hurt if we were all more aware of our surroundings while driving, so
we will not have an accident. We
might just save ourselves, our world, and a few hawks along the way.
Submitted by Joe Hoffmann,
WBS Sanctuary Manager
No comments:
Post a Comment