Editor’s note: A couple of months ago, while calling attention to a new book about Kansas birds, we asked readers to tell us about any interesting experiences they’ve had with them. Here are two we received, lightly edited for clarity. We will print more as space permits.
Red Tails’ tale
Working in a grain elevator is a challenge most people don’t understand. You are working in an environment where you are exposed to elements such as winter chill, summer heat, wind without any windbreaks and dust caused by moving grain from rail cars and trucks to storage bins.
The elevator I worked at was part of a flour mill here in Wichita. We blended different wheat varieties for the mill to process. Nothing much changed until some Red Tails made a nest on the top floor of the elevator, outside on the landing of our escape ladder.
At the time we discovered the nest, it held two eggs already laid. My boss, who hunted birds for sport, was going to destroy the nest. I mentioned that by federal law he was not allowed to do that and that I would make sure that he was held responsible.
Being a good friend of birds, with over 100 birds on my lifetime checklist, I was happy as a coot. I could observe the nest and had a front row seat to keep an eye on the hawks.
Time passed and the hawks hatched and raised two fledglings of both genders. At the same time the Red Tails arrived, we were infested with a large flock of pigeons. As the fledging got their wings, it was clear they thought the pigeons’ presence was wrong.
They mastered the art of ambush, which I found out that Red Tails are known for.
My job called for being outside, on top of the silos, several times every day, during which time I could observe the family of hawks. The older hawks had at times harassed me with some crazy close calls, swooping down out of the blue. When the fledglings joined in, both the pigeons and I were subjected to their murderous tactics.
I learned to keep an eye out, but even so they managed to hit me six times, once knocking my safety helmet off and scaring me numerous times. And after a while we didn’t have a pigeon issue anymore. It was great. We still had Kestrels, King Bird Flycatchers, Sharp-Skinned Hawks and Mississippi Kites.
Then my boss the great white hunter went up and knocked the nest off the landing into the silo below. I never got a chance to investigate the nest for all the evidence of their predatory activity, and I refused to clean up the mess he made. One of the worst bosses ever, but that is my opinion and not a bird story.
— Jeff Scholl, of Wichita, who says he has been birdwatching with a field guide for 20 years and finding even more birds during retirement.
Hoppin’ robin
I stepped out onto my porch one windy evening to see if my beach towel was dry. As I rounded the corner, I was starlted to see a baby robin on my trellis. I expected him to fly away, as I was within two feet, but it became apparent this baby was afraid to move.
I took photos and called my bird-loving neighbor, who came over. The baby was clinging on for dear life and his father perched on the gutter of the roof nearby, chirping at him. Of course, the baby chirped back.
He remained on the trellis as my neighbor and I spoke softly, trying to encourage him. I expected him to fly off at some point. Instead, after about 10 minutes, the baby hopped onto the flower pot a few inches away. It stayed there a couple minutes, hopped to the ground and continued to slowly hop along, heading toward the field behind my apartment (where I am sure the nest was located).
I never did see him fly, but I do know it taught me a lesson. The baby left when he was ready, trusting all would go well, after the father’s promptings. Instead of flying, he simply hopped along. I am grateful God gave me the opportunity to be close to one of His little creatures.
— Gretchen Fox, Valley Center
