As a habitat land manager, you have to think of a million different things. The other day I drove past the tree remains that are shown on the adjacent photo. I stopped and looked it over, wondering if it could fall when a field worker leaned against it or was even walking past it. Or even a strong wind, which took out an entire tree about 50 yards from this location six years ago. I thought about it being a good perch for raptors. But then realized I hadn’t ever seen a raptor perch on it, so, what was its use? The next day, of course, I drove past it and saw what’s pictured in this photo. It was of some good use to this hawk. I decided we keep the tree stump.
Big bird
Photo taken by Conservancy staff at a Conservancy preserve, 2025. With this article is a photo of a Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) in flight. It’s on one of the Conservancy’s marsh complexes. While the Conservancy has prepared the preserves mostly for the benefit of the Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), …