Birders
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(6,639 posts)RainCaster
(11,545 posts)We have an old nest near our house that gets added to every year when the adults return. In our mixed timber forestland, we have Alder, Maple, Madrona, Cherry and Fir. The many of the older Alders have died and the 'hawks will tuck their wings and dive toward an adler, then opening the wings just in time and grab a big branch. The SNAP is rather loud, and they drop another 5 feet or so before flapping off with the branch, which gets added to the nest. Those dead alders also host several woodpecker nests (Pileated) so they have their uses.
Later in the year we will see them getting small fish for their young-uns out of the nearby saltwater. They seem to prefer that. It's only in that last week before they kick them out of the nest that the couple gets so desperate for food that they try to grab one of our koi out of our pond. If I yell, they will drop it. I can then go over and pick up the fish from our lawn and put it back in the water. No harm, no fowl.