At around noon today, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was startled up from the stream next to the 35 E bridge, where it had apparently been bathing. It was most likely a female, as it was close in size to a Cooper's Hawk, but seemed to have a relatively small head and beak, and definitely showed a more square tail-end in its 3 successive flights and perchings in the upstream direction. At my approach the third time, the hawk then flew back downstream toward the river, weaving tightly between branches as it went. It's uncertain if it had its sights on a smaller bird, but there had been a Junco singing on that part of the trail when I passed there. As I had paused to enjoy its less-than-familiar song, it had darted abruptly toward the river. Perhaps it had suddenly become aware of the hawk's presence. Also seen, were three Bald Eagles: one adult circling high over the river, near the marina, and 2 immatures chasing one another over the tree-tops, mid-park. There was no sign of activity at the nest on the north shore of the main lake, though both adults were seen there earlier in the year. Linda Whyte.
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