After taking a walk at the Reed Bryan Farm side of Mercer Meadows today, I was reminded of the time when my father and I played golf with two Jesuit priests from my high school. To my great surprise, one of the priests became greatly agitated at the other, who as I recall stepped into the line of the other’s putt on one of the greens.
In today’s episode that triggered this memory, a Northern mockingbird set about harassing what appeared to be a fairly young red-tailed hawk perched on a tree branch. I spotted the hawk from behind a line of trees and then crossed over a footbridge to get a better look.
I was surprised to see a mockinbird darting about the branches of the same tree (see lead photo), only a foot or two away from the hawk, which was at least four times the mockingbird’s size. At one point, the mockingbird darted at the hawk and pecked its wing. The hawk seem unfazed, keeping its cool, unlike the Jesuit who balked when the other crossed his putt path.
I have to hand it to the mockingbird: he had cojones grandes. Courage or stupidity? I can’t say. But the hawk, seemingly nonplussed, continued its evening observations, and the mockingbird eventually moved on. So did I.
The Jersey Birder 
Interesting story. My last visit to Mercer Meadows was in the spring. It seems there is still a lot to see.
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Pretty much daily you can find something fun or fascinating at Mercer Meadows. It’s a great place, particularly in the morning most of the year. Thanks for the comment!
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Small birds routinely harass/mob predators. Mockers are particularly bold/territorial. Down here if FL a few years ago we watched a gnatcatcher repeatedly hit a red-shouldered hawk in the head until the hawk moved on.
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Great captures of this kerfuffle! In the top photo they look like they could almost be friends hanging out together.
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