My unknown bird: Was it a goshawk?

Remember a few weeks ago, I wrote about a bird of prey that I saw in Avondale and I can’t identify it? Well, I heard from a Peg W. in Landenberg who describes seeing a similar bird in her area. She did some research online and came up with a goshawk. I’ve been reading and looking at photos online, and I’m only half-convinced. From the side and top views, it could be that. But I did see it swoop down and then up again to another tree and I don’t recall a speckled chest and underbelly. The pictures of that online are quite remarkable, I think I would have noticed it. I think my next step is going to be to learn how to use our photo editing software so that I can hopefully enlarge the photos that I took. It looks like my time may be better spent doing that instead of online searching. But thanks for the tip!

Are you making resolutions for the new year? Do any of them have to do with greener living or becoming a more environmentally friendly household? Well, then maybe you want to visit the first meeting of 2013 with 4CP. That’s the Chester County group committed to climate change. On 1/2/13 at West Chester University, they will hold their first organizational meeting of the new year, and this one is for participants to learn all about renewable energy sources. If we all made little changes, it can make a big difference.

I made it down to Herr’s earlier this week, but unfortunately we chose a really bad day to do it. It was that cold, rainy, foggy day. I thought that since we were staying in the car it wouldn’t matter. But it did still ruin the overall viewing and feel of their display. I consoled myself by eating a package of their chocolate covered pretzels. But what we did see was quite nice so try to get down there if you haven’t already.

Well, we are getting ready to put another year down in the history books, huh? By the time this column is printed, another Christmas will have come and gone too. So, I would just like to take a moment to thank all of my readers for reading another 52 columns (or however many you read) and I hope you look forward to another 52 more. I enjoy doing this column as I love living in southern Chester county and am proud to call it home. Have yourselves a wonderful holiday week and please stay safe.

Outdoor enthusiast Lisa Lightner lives in Avondale.