Participant Photo: Sharp-shinned Hawk attracted to the birds at our feeders

Our backyard has been very active with Redpolls and House Finches etc which usually ends up attracting a raptor (either a Merlin or a Sharp-shinned Hawk). This hawk has been in the area for about a month and is probably the reason why the waxwings have not come to the yard this year. It was in the heated bird bath enjoying the waters and then sat in a tree in the yard preening for about a half hour. It had flushed out all the birds and stayed until one Redpoll returned to eat some seed. When the Redpoll flew off the Sharpie chased after it.