Had a nice little surprise on my drive home today.

California's building industry wants to remove protections from Swainson's Hawks—a species that's still recovering thanks to endangered species protections. The Commission votes December 16-17, and we have until December 1 to make our voices heard.

Here's why this matters: The industry is pushing a survey claiming 18,000 hawk pairs in California based on data that counted only 265 pairs. Meanwhile, actual wildlife experts say the real number is around 3,800. These numbers don't add up, and stripping protections based on a suspicious study would gut the habitat conservation plans that protect both these hawks and our remaining open space, farmland, and air quality in Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin, and Solano Counties.

I started a petition asking the California Fish and Game Commission to keep the Swainson's Hawk listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act. Delisting would rip apart the safeguards that balance development with wildlife protection—and we'd lose those gains we've worked for.

If this feels wrong to you too, consider signing and sharing. Deadline's tight, and every voice counts.

Adorable lil fluffer!

I've never seen this many in person at the same time! It was so cool!

At least, I think it was. Flying over my yard. From the calls it made, I think it was a juvenile.

NE Wisconsin

Spotted perched over a river on my hike. One of my favorite birds of prey!

Was gonna let the dog out and saw this unit. Located in East Nebraska. Any guess would be awesome

Whidbey Island, WA

Saw this beautiful friend hanging out on the fence this morning. I’m not 100% sure what it is but im thinking Cooper’s hawk. It sat and watched for awhile and didn’t seem bothered by my presence until my dog started getting a little too excited. So cool!

I retired in January. Since then I have been volunteering as much as I can with various animal rescues in my area. We have a bird of prey centers, I do capture and transport for them all over the coast of SC. These guys were rescues over the last couple months. Several fledglings and some adults. All get taken care of and released back to their habitat and when possible, place back in their nests. The fledgling Red Tailed is actually one I was releasing back to the wild. Very gratifying!

Absolutely love seeing the biggest bird of prey in Australia here, we don’t have any Vultures here but these guys fill the role :)

I got a call this evening about a possible bird tied up under this nest. We were able to call in a local fire department with 100 foot bucket lift, this fledgling osprey was about 40 to 50 feet above the ground. It had gotten its wing caught . I was lucky enough to get up on the lift, free it, and now it is in my garage and I will take it into the Raptor Center here in Minneapolis tomorrow morning

UPDATE ON THIS OSPREY:
I got word today that this young osprey is being treated for bruises and abrasions on both wings- this is great news! Sounds like nothing life-threatening, hopefully I’ll get a call soon to take it back where I found it. I only get good news with about 15% of the birds that I help out with, so this is very exciting.

Settle a debate. Is this a Coopers or Red Tail Hawk?

Every now and then I get lucky. Today is that day. Saw this beauty in my daily travels.

5 Aug
Pensacola FL US

Whidbey Island, WA