We observed an interesting phenomenom yesterday.  I noticed two Mourning Doves standing still on the bank in my back yard .  Looking through my binos I noticed three of the four juvenile ( believed to be Clay - colored x Chipping ) sparrows and their mother in a circle each facing outward.  Each of the six birds were like stone statues frozen in various poses.  We knew there must be a hawk nearby.  We watched but did not want to flush the birds.  After about 10 minutes a Cooper's hawk flew out of a blue spruce close by.  The Blue Jays gave the all clear and the birds took off.
Did the mother bird somehow warn the young not to move or do they have an an innate ability to recognize danger?
Terry and Barb Sponseller
Canton

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