So forces of nature are asking for war. Something has gotten some of my good mousers of late and I believe an ariel predator tried to make a meal out of one of my prized araucana today. Fortunately the hen got away, minus a lot of feathers and a large punture wound. She managed to save her three chicks as well.

I have spent a few days looking at spoor and may have a bob cat lurking. Maybe coyote. Another possibility is a fisher. Anyway, am setting appropriate traps for all.

As many know, raptors are protected here even if they are killing livestock. I enjoy them and hate to see them go wrong to try and score easy meals of expensive barnyard fowls. Most of the time these are young birds that are hungry and not successful at scoring wild game for themselves. I might try a mist net and relocation if I catch it.