Cooper’s Hawks are great runners!

I got a message from my friend Jen a couple of days ago about an injured Cooper’s Hawk behind the dumpster at McDonald’s in Parma Heights. I had to get William from school, so as soon as I picked him up – I headed for the McDonald’s. After all – I could use an extra set of eyes when looking for a Cooper’s Hawk!

When I arrived, I grabbed my fishing net and my welding glove and went straight for the trash! I didn’t see any birds back there, so I came out and looked around. Wondered if perhaps I was at the wrong McDonald’s… then a lady pulls up and asks if I was looking for a bird. I replied, “yes”. She said “it flew”. When I asked which direction the lady just drove off without answering me – I was pretty angry about that.

So I drove home and dropped William off. Hoping I would get a message that the hawk returned to feast in the trash at McDonald’s. No luck.

Fast forward 2 days… I was getting ready to head out the door to get a car wash and play Pokemon Go (Editor’s note: lol) – my items are really low after community day yesterday (I need Pokeballs so I can catch Pokemon). I got a call from a lady who said she just shooed a hawk from a street in Parma Heights into someone’s front yard. It’s a street away from the McDonald’s – most likely the same bird I was looking for 2 days ago!

So – I skipped the car wash and Pokemon and headed for Parma Heights! It took me about 25 minutes to get there, but it did not take long to find the hawk. It was perched on a railing in someone’s front yard. I parked my car, grabbed my fishing net and welding glove and headed toward the house.

I took one swipe and the bird and he FLEW. I knocked on the door to see if I could get permission to go into the back yard. Nobody answered. I don’t want to trespass, but I also did not want to let that injured bird get away! I saw him run into the back yard and I made a split second decision to chase the bird. Cooper’s Hawks are great runners! I am not. I chased that bird through 8 backyards. Got hung up on at least 4 bushes (either by my coat or fishing net). Got 1 thorn in my finger. Eventually, I caught him underneath a trampoline.

Upon examination at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, it was determined to have a Radius/Ulna fracture in the right wing. Tim Jasinski held the bird and I got to do my third wing wrap! The fracture is pretty bad, so we will have to wait and see how it heals. I always hope for the best! Hoping this guy heals quickly so he can go back to hunting House Sparrows at McD’s! 😉