It's not uncommon to see Martins go after a hawk. I've had a Coppers or Gosh hawk fly over my house 3 times in the last week, about an hour before dark. The Martins, that were here, chased after it & drove it down almost to the ground.
Last night I had no Martins here, but here comes the hawk & then at least 15 Chimney Swifts chased after it. I have never seen Chimney Swifts chase a hawk before.
Toy in PA
Hawks & Chimney Swifts
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
PMCA Member
Now that you mention it. I have never seen the chimney swifts around our home chase a hawk either. The blue jays are very good at letting everyone else know the hawk is around. At the farm it always the martins and barn swallows chasing them.