This just happened a few minutes ago

[Donna]

I was out on my porch steps and suddenly I heard a sparrow  scream. Out of no where and swooped right in front of me  (in a flash) was (what looked to me like a red tail) hawk. I can't be sure because it happened so fast but it definitely had a striped tail was about the size of a Falcon, (Kaver size), brown, light in color and nice big wings and flew sideways. Could this have been my first Close Encounter with a hawk? Who knows. It did NOT catch the Sparrow but sure did give it a scare. Me!!!! I chased the dern thing in bare feet down the road, (looking like a crazy lady),    like I was running from something guilty. I must have been near because it took off from a tree up the road and beat wings outta there. Oh well, I'll never really know what but I'll pretend it was a Hawk. 

[valhalla]

Kaver-sized makes me think Sharpie OR......
   Do you think it was a falcon?

Very exciting Donna 

[Donna]

Kaver-sized makes me think Sharpie OR......
   Do you think it was a falcon?

Very exciting Donna 

OH Definitely not a falcon Janet....no mistaking them. Could have been another type of hawk or just a "Donna wants it to be a hawk" thing but it was bigger than your ordinary house birds and since it was sideways and I saw the striped tail, made me think HAWK of some type. Yay for me, I think.  ???

[Dumpsterkitty]

Check out 2 likely candidates...

Sharp-shinned vs. Cooper's Hawk

I've seen both live...I remember when I saw my first Sharpie thinking how small it was compared to what I imagined it would be...both have striped tails and both have brownish chests...

[Donna]

Check out 2 likely candidates...

Sharp-shinned vs. Cooper's Hawk

I've seen both live...I remember when I saw my first Sharpie thinking how small it was compared to what I imagined it would be...both have striped tails and both have brownish chests...

I'm thinking Sharpie as you can see the stripes on tail flying sideways belly facing me. I looked at the Red tail and didn't see the stripes from underneath. If I could guess and it's a wild guess, I'd say Sharp-Shinned hawk. I'm not 100% sure. Doesn't matter, I saw a my first whatever.  up close! It happened so fast too. Thanks Janet & Ei, this is a tough call on my part.

[Annette]

Hi Donna,

I was out on my porch steps and suddenly I heard a sparrow  scream. Out of no where and swooped right in front of me  (in a flash) was (what looked to me like a red tail) hawk.
[...]

that was sure a exciting moment for you. 


Greetings
Annette

[Donna]

Check out 2 likely candidates...

Sharp-shinned vs. Cooper's Hawk

I've seen both live...I remember when I saw my first Sharpie thinking how small it was compared to what I imagined it would be...both have striped tails and both have brownish chests...

I'm thinking Sharpie as you can see the stripes on tail flying sideways belly facing me. I looked at the Red tail and didn't see the stripes from underneath. If I could guess and it's a wild guess, I'd say Sharp-Shinned hawk. I'm not 100% sure. Doesn't matter, I saw a my first whatever.  up close! It happened so fast too. Thanks Janet & Ei, this is a tough call on my part.

Oh and BTW, I guess we do have Hawks around here.... . When I look for them....nada, when I don't look, they are right in front of me!

[Donna]

Hi Donna,

I was out on my porch steps and suddenly I heard a sparrow  scream. Out of no where and swooped right in front of me  (in a flash) was (what looked to me like a red tail) hawk.
[...]

that was sure a exciting moment for you. 


Greetings
Annette

Yes Annette, it was exciting and WELCOME back!!

[Aafke]

Donna, I'm very happy for you. 
You discovering more and more birds around your house.
I'm sure you will see more of them now.
  greetings Aafke

[Paul Hamilton]

Thanks for the vivid report, Donna.  What a great day!  I agree that it was likely a big Sharpie or Coopers.  I agree with Aafke that you can look forward to seeing more of the birds hiding around your house.  Sometimes, the best clue is when all the birds either freeze in place or suddenly fly off in a wave.  The latter is how I usually spot a peregrine.

Paul

[valhalla]

Donna - Paul and Aafka are both right on!  You will see more as soon as you get their "method" down.  The freeze in plain sight routine on the part of the parts and the squirrels is our favorite way of spoting an arriving Hawk.   

[Donna]

Donna - Paul and Aafka are both right on!  You will see more as soon as you get their "method" down.  The freeze in plain sight routine on the part of the parts and the squirrels is our favorite way of spoting an arriving Hawk.   

I'll be waiting for the BIG freeze. I sat out most of the day with my  ....nothing but neighbors staring at me cuz they think I'm looking in their windows. First they see me running down the road in bare feet chasing nothing, now they see me as a peeping "Donna". If I'm not on for a few days, I'll be in "Lock-up" probably. 

Thanks Paul, Aafke and Janet...

[Carol P.]

Congrats on your first close encounter with a hawk Donna!  Certainly sounds like a Coop or Sharpie.   

[Donna]

Congrats on your first close encounter with a hawk Donna!  Certainly sounds like a Coop or Sharpie.   

   Carol

[valhalla]

If I'm not on for a few days, I'll be in "Lock-up" probably. 

Thanks Paul, Aafke and Janet...

I'll bail you out!  I still know a few cops up there (and a few docs, if Graystone is an option)