One Less Little Bird

The last couple weeks have been different overall in my backyard. As I noticed that the birds were coming less and less to my pond I figured out why.

We got my dad a few months back a small bird feeder, which has been a huge hit for the birds.. but also is causing a big problem. They are getting fed everyday by mom, who thinks it's her obligation. We were getting 50 birds at at time over there in the corner of my backyard! Of course their very franic, when they see one person walking up they all fly away at the exact same time.  That makes me wonder.. do they all see one run, and join in trust and/or panic?

Now, we have a new bird hanging around. A small Hawk! 

This caught me off guard, why was a hawk hanging around? Until one day we found out why. As  I was sitting there, I hear a big whoosh of air go by. The hawk was on my fence clenching to a tiny bird. He was eating the bird. As I went to go get my iPod to take a picture, he flew away with the bird with him. No wonder he was here. Also explains the feathers we found around my backyard.

From http://jimgindorff.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/coopers-hawk-and-flicker/
Not my picture, but represents what had happened.

The sad part is two other little birds were hiding in a small bush too scared to leave.

So now my mom feels guilty saying she was the reason the bird got eaten. She now thinks that if no birds are there, that the hawk is going to get our fish in the pond. Can hawks even dive into a pond of water? Would they if they were hungry or not?

It's crazy that we have a food chain going on in our backyard. Of course that's always the case, it's nature. Just sad to actual see happen. 

 I will try to post pictures as soon as I can.