I live in Carderock Springs, just outside of the Beltway. On a recent walk down Persimmon Tree Lane, which abuts Congressional Golf Course, I heard an unusual call. It was a kestrel sitting in a tree between two large yards, belting out its alarm call. The little falcon flitted about for at least 30 seconds close by before taking off. I thought (and hoped) that another was calling in the distance. However, one yard over, I came upon its probable competitor: a mechanical "owl", whose eyes were lit up, emitting a mechanical sounding "alarm call". Three of these devices were planted next to young trees, probably to scare deer. It was repeatedly "calling" and probably brought the Kestrel down. What concerns me is that about 6 weeks ago I found a dead barred owl below the same tree where the Kestrel was hanging out. I figured the owl had been hunting and had been hit by a car. I wonder now if it had also been lured by the mechanical owl. Have others observed such raptor reactions to mechanical sounds?
Lisa Wilcox Deyo
Carderock Springs/Bethesda, MD