Text and photographs by Robert Koch
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Medford Leas has an active group of Birders. Periodically, Robert Koch (#191 WSD) will share photos and information on avian life on the Lumberton Campus. Here is the first offering:
Raptors or birds of prey are quite common in our area and frequently can be seen soaring overhead, sitting in trees and even on the roofs of our units. Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Ospreys, Merlins, Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks are the most likely to be seen on or above our campus. Owls like the Great Horned are also on our campus but are usually roosting in trees in our woods. Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures (scavengers but still classified as birds of prey) also make daily appearances soaring overhead and frequently perching on our roofs or roof top vents.
The three birds shown on the roofs were photographed from the meadow. They are respectively a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, an adult Cooper’s Hawk and a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk. The Red-tail is our most widespread and common raptor that is especially fond of squirrels, rabbits and other rodents. The Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned belong to a group known as Accipiters and are very agile hawks that pursue small birds into trees and bushes. The birds at our feeders keep a sharp eye out for them.
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