Backyard visitor.

[MN Shutterbug]

I thought it was strange, especially after reseeding my backyard with cracked corn again, that none of the beautiful grackles were to be seen. I have a lot of cracked corn I need to get rid of before it gets bad, so I've been scattering it on the grass and the grackles and sparrows love it. Once it's gone, they're on their own. In the meantime, they've been keeping me entertained.At least it was a grackel I saw him fly off with.

If you look at his beak, you'll notice the blood on it.

And a couple regulars. The flickers are basically migrating thru. There are always a few that stick around, but the numbers are always higher in the spring and fall.

[Dotch]

Sounds a lot like the backyard here sans the hawk Mike.

[micpic]

Very neat! I did'nt think anything would eat a Grackle. Just a reminder, my records show Oriole season starts here in about a week and a half and I'm only about 80 miles south of the Minn border.

[Comit 2]

Is that a broad-winged hawk?

[MN Shutterbug]

Is that a broad-winged hawk?

Cooper's Hawk.