Red tails: hawks and squirrels

The area of Narrowsburg, NY known as the Flats has an unusual abundance of black squirrels. Black squirrels are a melanistic color phase of the common Eastern gray squirrel, also found in high numbers there.

Squirrels provide sustenance to predators such as the red-tailed hawk.

Within a period of several days last week, local photographer David Soete encountered two wildlife moments we’re pleased to share here. In the first, Soete photographed an immature red-tailed hawk feasting on the body of a black squirrel it harvested in the Flats. The lack of red coloring in the tail is explained by the bird’s young age.

Days later, Soete photographed a black squirrel with an unusual red tail. Our neighborhoods are rich with the marvels of the natural world. We thank Soete for sharing his clever observations of that.

The Delaware Valley Raptor Center, which rehabilitates birds of prey, recently began publishing its journal in full color. The fall/winter issue features an interesting story about a red-tailed hawk that received care at the Center. Members receive the highly informative journal. Visit dvrconline.org for more information or call 570/296-6025.