Two days ago, as I was cresting the hill on top of Goose Egg Island at Farmington Bay WMA, the ruckus was already in progress.
Before I even got to the top of the hill, a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk zoomed right in front of my pickup’s windshield. At the time I assumed it was in pursuit of a small bird in the trees to my right, but I was wrong. As soon as I crested the hill I realized it was in a panic because it was being chased by at least two, maybe three, Northern Harriers. And after a quick review of some of my photos, I now believe there were two Cooper’s Hawks involved in the kerfuffle.
There was a real donnybrook going on at the top of the hill. 4-5 raptors of two species were chasing each other in flight as they appeared, disappeared and then reappeared over the steep edge of the hill. As you can imagine, I was spraying my lens all over the place as I tried to capture some of the action. In this situation, with multiple raptors appearing and disappearing so quickly over the hill’s edge, getting sharp flight shots was hugely difficult.
I got a few photos I like. The first one below is one of my favorites.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The juvenile Cooper’s Hawk I’d seen a few seconds earlier had landed on a cement structure on top of the hill and at least two harriers were dive bombing it, repeatedly. Here the talons of one of the harriers came within a few inches of the Coop’s head.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is the next shot in the burst. I got one more photo that included both birds but by then the harrier was too much out of focus.
My life has been pretty hectic lately, so I still haven’t had a chance to review and process more of my photos of this extended altercation but I’m pretty sure you’ll be seeing more photos of it soon.
We all may be surprised by what they reveal.
Ron
Harriers are mostly feet and feathers. They harry mercilessly but are as a rule are fairly reluctant to grab on. We used to catch them on starlings at Cape May. Some feisty starlings were actually able to intimidate the harriers hovering just above like your images here.
I’m not particularly surprised, Steven. Starlings can be very aggressive and their beaks are wicked-sharp.
super series!!
The Coop definitely has a, “What did I do?” look on his face. Hope they sorted out the kerfuffle without anyone being hurt.
Wow! The look on that poor Coop’s face in both shots, like, “Whaaaaat is that?!” Although I’m sure s/he knows, it’s trouble with a Capital H!
Hope they all escaped without serious injury ….
“Hope they all escaped without serious injury.”
Chris, as far as I could tell there was no physical contact. It came very close though.
😊
These shots show your experience and focus. I would have been dithering and probably failed to get a clear shot.
The first is spectacular and I look forward to more.
Pecking order isn’t an empty phrase is it?
“Pecking order isn’t an empty phrase is it?”
It sure isn’t, EC. Not where birds are concerned.
Great find and capture, I like the first one too, the young Cooper’s looks a bit confused. Maybe there will be a few more birds out there this year. We will have to see what duck hunt does, it might chase things off. I have gone out twice last week in the late afternoon. I have not gone over the photos, mostly they are cormorants and grebes. It was pretty quiet those days.
Thanks, April. On the day I was there, most opportunities I had were with grebes and yellowlegs. I didn’t take many photos of them.
That first shot is award-winning quality. Really looking forward to more.
Thank you, Burrdoo. I was very happy to get that shot.
WOW! Amazing you got any of them clear! I’d have been a bust in that situation……;)
Pair of GHO’s talking in the yard night before last – hope they come back to nest – we miss them!
Work cut out for me today with wind damage from last night…….UGH!
Judy, I saw your photos of your wind damage on FB. I’m sorry you had so much damage. That wind must have been fierce, even for MT.
Very interesting Ron. Looking forward to episode two of the Harrier Cooper’s battle.
Really interesting to me because I have watched our single female Harrier here for many years at our Willow Lake. She rules that lake and will attempt to drive off all competition whether Cooper’s or Red-tailed or Swainson’s etc. She is relentless and fearless in her efforts.
She leaves here every summer and might be in Colorado or Utah, but is always back by late fall and ready to take on all competition.
Your harrier sounds pretty typical, Everett. At Farmington, harriers are notorious for similar behavior directed at virtually all other raptors – including owls. I’ve seen a harrier snatch a vole right out of the talons of a Short-eared Owl. In flight. And I’ve seen them attempt to do so several times.
What an interesting encounter. Clearly the Coops has ducked down a bit to avoid contact. Really curious to see more photos of this event.
Hunting territory dispute perhaps?
“Hunting territory dispute perhaps?”
Probably, Michael. It’s pretty unusual to see Cooper’s Hawks in or near Farmington’s marshes so I suspect the harriers took exception to the Coops coming through. Both species prey on small birds regularly so they’d be competing for food.