Yesterday was a really nice sunny day with cool breezes. To the north of our pasture there was a hawk perched in the top of a willow tree. We thought it was Big Bird but it turned out to be Flint or Flora. The red tail took off up into the sky & gave us a real air show from far off hunting for prey.

We could hear some squawking in the wooded pasture not far away from where we were sitting in the shade on a log. It was Big Bird he/she was perched high up in an oak tree not far from the red tail nest. Usually by this time the red tail chicks are over in the neighbors pasture where we saw Flint or Flora. It is nice & open with over there along a creek, a place where the parents can do a food drop & the chick is safer in the open where it can see a long distance. The only thing I can think of is seeing as Big Birds nest mate didn't survive there is no competition for food so why move?

I really do miss two chicks competing for food & learning the ropes from their parents. Flora is getting up there in age so maybe it is easier on her now with one chick this year. Flint has really improved his hunting skills over the years. The first year he was a father, Flora bought in prey 3 to his 1 but over the years he has really become a good provider for his family.

About three years ago I saw Flint fly into the trees where the chicks were perched not far from the nest in a dead elm tree. He bounced on the branch & would fly to another branch. It was like he was giving the chicks a lesson & trying to bloast their confidence.