There is a small area in our local park where the early morning rituals of birds, people, and squirrels intersect. This area is home to a large Bradford pear tree that attracts flocks of robins this time of year. The robins attract the attention of sharp-shinned hawks. A small playground attracts people. This is where early morning dog walkers throw out peanuts for the squirrels. People are out walking, squirrels are eating peanuts, crows are chasing squirrels and eating peanuts, and a sharp-shinned hawk is chasing crows who turn around and chase the hawk. The hawk wants to hunt the robins but needs to clear out the crows first. The problem is crows love peanuts. These mixed motivations create a captivating scene for those with eyes to see.
I am so happy I found this Substack! My wife and I love all birds and our backyard has become "Backyard Bird National Park". Great events at BBNP included the "Morning of a Billion Birds" (ok, admittedly a bit of an exaggeration) and "Bushtits Everywhere!!" (not an exaggeration.). We love crows and know their ways to some degree. When we had the Heat Anomaly here in PDX two years ago amidst a long running drought, the crows were suffering and would let us spray them with misted water to cool off. Pretty trusting and practical on their part!
My sister just told me about a story she read. A man had helped an injured crow then set him free again when it was healed. One day the man noticed something shiny on his porch. It was a diamond ring. That crow started bringing him any shiny thing it could find which included diamonds!
Thanks for the descriptions, poem, and this: “I felt the urge to call out to her, "Pardon me, have you noticed the beautiful birds? The universe is calling you." : )
Great writing - the first paragraph drew me in. I was very concerned with the snippet of information about kids being unable to dig and catch balls however ... seriously concerning. A rabbit hole there needing my attention.
I find it fascinating the difference between birds in different countries. We have crows but they are more sleek, more friendly?, just as watchful, just as intelligent, less aggressive? Intriguing. (I haven’t noticed any ‘mobbing’.)
I live in a country town so have lots of opportunities to really get to know my birds. It’s such a pleasure to have them know and trust you so well that you can pass closely by without disturbing them. The crows, the magpies (again, different to yours), the cockatoos - all large birds who clearly know ‘their’ humans. And the little ones like wrens or starlings or sparrows so full of life and personality. We are so very lucky.
(And the kids!!! Scary! So much to learn... I’m very glad that I’m the age I am.) Another terrific post. Thanks so much.
Really interesting post and love how you described the Crows and the Sharp-shinned Hawk encounter. I am fascinated by Crows and Corvids in general. I've befriended 2 local Crow families in the local conservation area where I hike regularly. Their mobbing and calls have helped my spot numerous owls, hawks, falcons, foxes, and other predators. I've rewarded them with peanuts and now I am not sure who has trained whom: I them or them me!
I like you writing process as well about reducing screen time and this is something I need to work on. A few months ago, I finally stopped using ebird on my hikes. I felt like my birding/hiking was become too gamified and I was not appreciating all that was happening around me - like that woman sitting on the bench in your post - completing missing out on what was happening overhead.
I love this!! And you gave me so much to chew on. These are the conversations we have about expanding our outreach and education programs for youth at Rivers & Lands Conservancy and I'm always gathering any additional information for my arsenal to use when talking to donors and grantors. Thank you so much!!
Plus you'll always win me over if you are talking about corvids and accipiters. They are the life of the party in the urban forest. :-)
I think we should all relearn to use paper and pencils/ pens, to be less reliant on computers and phones and regain the link between brain and hand. In that respect, we could also all learn a lot from crows.
When I watch my grandsons sit for hours on their phones, my heart cries a little. Their mother, my daughter, loves them dearly-yet she allows them too much time on the screen. When they come to visit me on the farm, they know my rules and follow them without argument. Only 1 hour of screen time a day, help Gamma work outside on the farm, take care of the animals, and spend the rest of the time playing outside or doing something creative. I believe children inherently know the outdoors is good for them. They stay outside, they work hard, and they tell me they look forward to returning the following summer. I only wish they could be here longer. Your stories are always an inspiration. Thank you for doing this work!
🤣Oh man, the oblivious screen-person not noticing the birds above her head. It reminded me of a conversation I had with a neighbor one time (back when we lived in a city). She said she’d seen a red bird in her yard, so I asked if it was a cardinal. She said, “I don’t know, it was a red bird, I’m not a bird person” and rolled her eyes at me and walked off. It caused a little tirade in my head. I thought - I bet you know where the closest Walmart is, and what time Starbucks opens, and what a stop sign is. Is that because you’re a Walmart person or a coffee person or a sign person? Geez, the bird is in your backyard, and you don't even want to know its name? Rolling your eyes at me like I’m crazy. 😂 Thanks for sharing these thoughts and efforts - so informative and important, now more than ever.
Wonderful post. Thanks. Crows are my favourite birds :-) I'm familiar with the ones on my street and in nearby park , and they know me even better. I try to keep peanuts in my pockets.
I watched two red shouldered hawks circle and cry the other morning, over the local creek. And yesterday, a Cooper's hawk scared off all the doves roosting in my neighbor's tree as it looked for the house finches and juncos feeding in my yard. Not bad for the suburbs.
I am so happy I found this Substack! My wife and I love all birds and our backyard has become "Backyard Bird National Park". Great events at BBNP included the "Morning of a Billion Birds" (ok, admittedly a bit of an exaggeration) and "Bushtits Everywhere!!" (not an exaggeration.). We love crows and know their ways to some degree. When we had the Heat Anomaly here in PDX two years ago amidst a long running drought, the crows were suffering and would let us spray them with misted water to cool off. Pretty trusting and practical on their part!
My sister just told me about a story she read. A man had helped an injured crow then set him free again when it was healed. One day the man noticed something shiny on his porch. It was a diamond ring. That crow started bringing him any shiny thing it could find which included diamonds!
Thanks for the descriptions, poem, and this: “I felt the urge to call out to her, "Pardon me, have you noticed the beautiful birds? The universe is calling you." : )
Great writing - the first paragraph drew me in. I was very concerned with the snippet of information about kids being unable to dig and catch balls however ... seriously concerning. A rabbit hole there needing my attention.
I'm so inspired by your new writing workflow, Bill. I'm going to try it this week.
I love this post and thank you for this knowledge and insight today. It was most uplifting and educating on so many levels!
YOU are a poet, Bill! I read your articles on a screen, but I look forward to owning the book/books one day.
I find it fascinating the difference between birds in different countries. We have crows but they are more sleek, more friendly?, just as watchful, just as intelligent, less aggressive? Intriguing. (I haven’t noticed any ‘mobbing’.)
I live in a country town so have lots of opportunities to really get to know my birds. It’s such a pleasure to have them know and trust you so well that you can pass closely by without disturbing them. The crows, the magpies (again, different to yours), the cockatoos - all large birds who clearly know ‘their’ humans. And the little ones like wrens or starlings or sparrows so full of life and personality. We are so very lucky.
(And the kids!!! Scary! So much to learn... I’m very glad that I’m the age I am.) Another terrific post. Thanks so much.
Really interesting post and love how you described the Crows and the Sharp-shinned Hawk encounter. I am fascinated by Crows and Corvids in general. I've befriended 2 local Crow families in the local conservation area where I hike regularly. Their mobbing and calls have helped my spot numerous owls, hawks, falcons, foxes, and other predators. I've rewarded them with peanuts and now I am not sure who has trained whom: I them or them me!
I like you writing process as well about reducing screen time and this is something I need to work on. A few months ago, I finally stopped using ebird on my hikes. I felt like my birding/hiking was become too gamified and I was not appreciating all that was happening around me - like that woman sitting on the bench in your post - completing missing out on what was happening overhead.
Great post and thanks for sharing.
I love this!! And you gave me so much to chew on. These are the conversations we have about expanding our outreach and education programs for youth at Rivers & Lands Conservancy and I'm always gathering any additional information for my arsenal to use when talking to donors and grantors. Thank you so much!!
Plus you'll always win me over if you are talking about corvids and accipiters. They are the life of the party in the urban forest. :-)
I think we should all relearn to use paper and pencils/ pens, to be less reliant on computers and phones and regain the link between brain and hand. In that respect, we could also all learn a lot from crows.
When I watch my grandsons sit for hours on their phones, my heart cries a little. Their mother, my daughter, loves them dearly-yet she allows them too much time on the screen. When they come to visit me on the farm, they know my rules and follow them without argument. Only 1 hour of screen time a day, help Gamma work outside on the farm, take care of the animals, and spend the rest of the time playing outside or doing something creative. I believe children inherently know the outdoors is good for them. They stay outside, they work hard, and they tell me they look forward to returning the following summer. I only wish they could be here longer. Your stories are always an inspiration. Thank you for doing this work!
🤣Oh man, the oblivious screen-person not noticing the birds above her head. It reminded me of a conversation I had with a neighbor one time (back when we lived in a city). She said she’d seen a red bird in her yard, so I asked if it was a cardinal. She said, “I don’t know, it was a red bird, I’m not a bird person” and rolled her eyes at me and walked off. It caused a little tirade in my head. I thought - I bet you know where the closest Walmart is, and what time Starbucks opens, and what a stop sign is. Is that because you’re a Walmart person or a coffee person or a sign person? Geez, the bird is in your backyard, and you don't even want to know its name? Rolling your eyes at me like I’m crazy. 😂 Thanks for sharing these thoughts and efforts - so informative and important, now more than ever.
Absolutely beautiful writing, thoughts and photos! Thank you!
Wonderful post. Thanks. Crows are my favourite birds :-) I'm familiar with the ones on my street and in nearby park , and they know me even better. I try to keep peanuts in my pockets.
I watched two red shouldered hawks circle and cry the other morning, over the local creek. And yesterday, a Cooper's hawk scared off all the doves roosting in my neighbor's tree as it looked for the house finches and juncos feeding in my yard. Not bad for the suburbs.