This morning about 8:00 I went out to the roof to see what I could see. I think every bird in the neighborhood - except the Chimney Swifts - had gathered in & around the tall snag in the cemetery next door. Robins, Starlings, a pair of Common Grackles, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Mockingbird, a pair of Goldfinches, House Finch, Catbird, and the first Chickadee I've seen this summer. Then I saw the Kestrel, in exactly the same spot as last week, enduring bombing raids carried out primarily by the Robins & Mocker. Until he(?) took off, with a bird in talon.
I'm assuming it's the same Kestrel, which I saw more clearly from the back last time (thus i.d.'d as male) & this time mostly the face. It flew with its prey toward the NE, over Massachusetts Avenue and on toward what I believe is the District building at 14th & U - anyway, a tall building, in that direction, that flies a DC flag. Who knew there was Kestrel territory over there?
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Carrol Cowan
Washington DC
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