[NatureNS] Eagles take muskrats

From: "Jean Timpa" <jtimpa@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 23:43:07 -0300
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Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

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	At a late spring choir party on the lawn in Grand Pre one fine 
evening about 8 years ago now, the farmer and I watched an eagle who 
was nesting in the woods at the top of the corn patch go down to the ditch 
across the road out to Boot Island, snag a large muskrat, and carry it back 
wiggling and thrashing to its nest. It had to "put down" part way there as 
apparently it was losing its grip on the muskrat who must have been rather 
heavy and was certainly fighting with every ounce of energy for its life. So 
the eagle got a better hold and took off to the nest and made it there on the 
the second attempt. I don't think a Great Horned Owl would have the 
strength to prey upon a muskrat; however they are known to capture 
skunks and hang them in trees where they consume them later. I don't 
know how the two animals would compare in weight, if they were 
approximately the same length. It was quite a feat. JEEEEEEEEEEEEET

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