I was sitting in the yard just after noon on Monday, March 14, 2022, watching birds when an accipiter flew into the yard. I sneaked back into the house for my camera but when I reemerged the accipiter flew. An hour or so later it returned from the same direction from which it disappeared earlier. Unfortunately, when it returned it landed on a feeder pole instead of a natural perch. Here are some of the photos I managed to take on the accipiter’s second visit.

Several years ago, on another accipiter’s visit to the yard, I managed to make a contact who bands raptors in Seattle. I sent him these photos and here is his response:

Young adult Cooper’s Hawk, just finishing molt into adult plumage, so will be 2 years old later this Spring. Looks like he/she is courting another Cooper’s Hawk in the neighborhood…..the fluffed up white undertail coverts is seen in Spring courtship.