Backyard and Beyond

Other (?) Kestrels:This one swooped across our path in Green-Wood, shot across 5th Avenue and disappeared behind the buildings there. It soon emerged with prey in talon. House Sparrow, I guess.We know there are at least two males in the area, because we’ve seen them either together or simultaneously. This shot, from earlier this month, shows a male on the linden so popular back in November. For comparison’s sake, the above is a picture from November. Looks pretty similar, no? Certainly looks like he has less peachy-russet on the breast than our next door neighbor. (Of course, this is why they band birds; we can’t tell apart as well as the birds themselves can.)If I may assume for a moment: he likes this tree because it gives him an almost eye-level view of the upslope fence and bushes against the fence that always seem to harbor some House Sparrows. He made a sortie while I watched. I don’t recall seeing one of these little falcons on the ground before. He looks huge here, but of course isn’t.