Friday, July 15, 2011

Corralitas Drive: Squirrels Are Much Quieter Since Hawks Hunting Regularly

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 14, 2011.  Yesterday, I caught sight of a squirrel quietly eating native Blue Elderberries on Corralitas Drive.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The squirrels used to be much noisier a few weeks ago, before the Red Tailed Hawk fledglings left the nest.  The squirrels chattered incessantly throughout the neighborhood.  The Red Tail parents have been seen feeding the youngsters a few squirrels every day. 

The other day, I watched the larger of the young hawks clumsily attempt to catch a squirrel on a telephone wire above the Red Car Property.  The hawk was unsuccessful.  I guess that's why the squirrels' tails are looking really ratty lately.