Tuesday, November 23, 2010
lotsa predators lately
Our lovely silky hens have raised many sweet broods this year. Sadly the most recent was completely swallowed by predators. 4 chicks disappeared one at a time, heartbreaking. One didn’t know to go back in the house. I think the others were prey either to a visiting lone coyote seen by both Mark and neighbor Jen, but not with feathers on his lips, or the ever present red-tailed hawk. The hawk’s been a fixture in the trees above the silky house. That hawk killed one of the brown silky hens. I think a youth from this year’s brood, not the mama that just lost her brood.
All so sad. But also the beauty of this rich habitat for all is vital, even when it’s a little brutal.