For those who are interested.... Before 9 am a Cooper's Hawk was circling northwest. At around 11:15 or so, I saw a Merlin flying northeast. Both times I saw these birds after half-minute looks out my window to see what was disturbing the birds. There were easily a dozen disturbances where I failed to find any raptor in a half minute. Right now there is a flock of siskins....and would you believe here comes a Merlin and ..... it got one! Actually, the siskin part is part of the Grand Conspiracy. (-: Hi Phil (-! Both hawks from my sixth story office window. Peace, Rob Rob (Robert) Hilton--*robert@csa.com*--Bethesda, Md. (very close to Washington, DC)