Janet, it could be tempted to take a bath.  Put out a shallow pan, about three or four inches deep and at least 18 inches wide, if possible, and you might get to watch.

Or it could be attracted to movement, frogs, fish, etc. If the hawk is injured it could be very hungry and will try to catch anything.  The water might be discouraging it from catching what it might see.

--
J. Steven Huy
Middletown, MD, USA


 
---- Janet Millenson <> wrote: 
 
=============
You're correct about the definition of Count Week, Gail; sorry if the
wording was unclear.

Off-topic, but I just saw an immature Cooper's behaving oddly. It was
sitting on the edge of our little bathtub-sized fishpond. Three times it
flew back and forth across the pond, landing its feet briefly in the water
but not giving the impression of seriously trying to catch anything. (The
warm weather has awakened some big frogs from hibernation.) Through
binoculars I could see that one of the bird's toes looked painfully swollen.
Was it interested in prey, or just trying to soothe its injured foot in cool
water?

Janet Millenson
Potomac, MD (Montgomery County)

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"Look at the birds!" -- Pascal the parrot