LESS SONGBIRDS IN MY YARD THIS SUMMER

      LESS SONGBIRDS THIS SUMMER ~ WHY?

This Cooper's Hawk had a nest built in the tree behind our place when we returned in the Spring.  
I heard it calling and scanned the trees until I spotted the nest.  Nesting, hmmm...there will be offspring!
The hawks spent time sitting in nearby trees, waiting. 
Waiting for the songbirds to gather at my feeders! 
I could tell when the hawks were "looking" for lunch, the songbirds became quiet and disappeared from the yard.  Well, that's nature.  The hawks have to eat too.
Now the squawking has begun!  The fledglings are out testing their wings and hunting skills!  This has really lessened the songbirds at my feeders.  It has been interesting watching the hawks progression throughout the summer.
A plus to the hawks arrival in our vicinity? I've saved money on birdseed!  I'm considering not putting seed out next summer. Possibly just sugar water for the hummingbirds and a birdbath. The songbirds love the birdbath. Fresh water daily is a must.  We have plenty of food in the woods around us, bugs are plentiful, worms are crawling in my flowerbeds...more reasons to refrain from buying birdseed!   AND~the hawks will probably come back to their nest in the spring! 
Another plus: I won't have to try "outsmarting" the squirrels!  They love birdseed!