An Average Hawk.

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We really wanted an average sort of hawk. Not a dumb hawk and not a really intelligent one either.

But, according to hopes concerning the fishing line hawk barrier, it would not be so. Michael came up from chores late the next evening, after returning from a boy scout merit badge outing, and announced, "I think we have a dumb hawk."

We'd lost another chicken.





Apparently the sight of fishing line glistening dangerously in the daylight did not deter this hawk from obtaining another dive-thru chicken tenders meal. However, it is clear from the damage that his departure was not so quick and easy as he had expected. Instead of one small pile of a few feathers, this time there were several piles of a lot of feathers, indicating that the hawk had hit the ground roughly in several places in it's attempt to find another exit.






There were several areas of broken fishing line, with feathers stuck to them, as well.













It's clear to see that this hawk had a surprisingly difficult time escaping and was probably unhappy about it. The fishing line that was broken on the ground was all tangled up, so he likely had to deal with that. I'd have been much happier if I'd found the chicken, revealing that the hawk had decided escaping was his number one priority and not getting out with that chicken; a lesson learned. But no dice.

So we have a hawk in training. Either we are training him that dive-thru chicken tender meals cost more than he is willing to pay, or we are training him to persevere. Michael and I had a discussion on whether to go buy wildlife netting, which I located at Lowe's and would cost us about 50 - 75 dollars in addition to needing to build supports for it, or to redo the fishing line where it was broken. He just could not make up his mind. So I made the executive decision to see if the line trouble was enough to discourage the hawk for good. It may cost us another chicken, but I'm hoping to save the money as it is pretty tight these days.

We are not getting as many eggs, due to the stress of the hawk hunting going on in the chicken yard. I can only imagine the terror of chickens running for their lives as this hawk careens about, bashing into one side and then the other. Kind of like a Japanese Godzilla movie, for chickens.

I hoped yesterday we'd have more time to work before the rain started up once again, but we finished tying line while it was raining. My dad brought by some bags of lawn clippings for our compost pile and we spent the rest of the morning in the house. I worked on sewing vests for the civil war costumes. Then we were gone for the rest of the day doing Michael's home school swim team, visiting friends, and going to Bible study.

Keeping you updated on Hawk Tales.

Faith

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