Fewer blackbirds

Saturday, September 27, 2014.    Hawks were set out today in the weathering area.   It was sunny, so a mister was constant on the hawks until the shade reached by mid-afternoon.   Guests were at the beach and pools.  So, hawks were flown to deter grackles at both areas.  The hawks simply sat in the trees and  flew from shady spot to shady spot in each tree, but that was enough for the grackles to leave guests alone.  The iguanas were in the beach area, the large ones as usual unafraid of the humans and hawks.  But the small ones hid deep in the bushes and stayed still.   The evening flights started at 6:00 after the pool had stopped serving guests.  Two hawks were set up at the parking garage at the office building.  My favorite and I think most effective area for deterrence.   A good presence for the hawks, and few dogs being walked in the area to disrupt activities.  I saw a few starlings wheel about and just a few grackles came in.  Droppings on the pavement and walkways were much reduced.  I still stayed out until darkness came in to make sure that the grackles did not appear after the hawks left.  Sunday morning, I noted very little grackle activity and thinking that the wild peregrine in the area that has returned is also helping itself to grackles for dinner.