When I was in middle/high school, for several years in a row during the winter months, a Sharpie would spend long periods of time perched on a heating oil pipe on a slope at the side of our suburban home in Pasadena.  The hawk would wait patiently, and stilly, before swooping around toward the back of the house where it had great luck capturing birds attracted to our feeders and seeds on the ground.  We watched, more than once, from a window while the hawk rolled and plucked its victim.  We would also find piles of feathers, blood in snow, and an occasional beak under the deck.  Sharpies are definitely attracted to your birdfeeders, just as their prey birds are that are eating the seeds.  My father took several slides of the hawk, as it was closely viewed from a ground-level basement window.

~ Meghan
Bowie, Prince George's County


----- Original Message -----
From: Marko, Thomas L. GS BUMED
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 9:35 AM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Unusual Yard Bird?

I also live in a residential neighborhood and, on several occasions, have
observed a Sharpie perched on my backyard fence awaiting a tasty meal from
the feeder.

Tom Marko
Olney, MD
Montgomery Bird Club (MOS)
Email: 

-----Original Message-----
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Unusual Yard Bird?

.. it sounds like a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  The problem is that I don't really
know anything about their behavior.  Are they known to perch on fences in a
residential neighborhood?  It has been sitting near a feeder, so my guess is
that it's looking for prey.  I'd appreciate any opinions.

Leslie
Keedysville, MD
Washington County