Any thoughts on what this is???

[Tim]

I was out shed hunting this weekend and this is what I came upon.  It was extremely windy and the location of the scratching was on the southern slope, a bit out of the wind and a nice sunny spot.

As I came up the hill I basically jumped one Redtail hawk off the ground and another about 10 foot off the ground.  I didn't see exactly where the hawk was on the ground but they were close to this spot.

The spot in the photo is located at the base of a small evergreen.  It's located right on the edge of a very small field.  It's not a nesting area, but the longer laid over grass probably is good for mice.  The spot is about 2 foot by 2 foot and as you can see it's like dusting bowl with quite a few centrally located feathers.  The feathers were definitely fresh and definitely from a Redtail.

Anybody know what was going on??? Do hawks dust themselves?          

   

[Shakes.602]

BIG FOOT BEDDING!!                 Some Big Critters Night-Night Spot!! Or an OCD Hunters Sittin' Spot maybe??  :confused:    

[BOHO]

looks like something was eaten there to me.

[Tim]

No big foot sighting Bill!  

Nothing was eaten there, the feathers are fresh and from a Redtail. The area looks like it was freshly cleaned out.

[mcgroundstalker]

I don't think is was a "what" but more like a "who" cleared out that spot in an almost perfect square........  

... mike ...    ...

[Killdeer]

I think a redtail and a rodential type got into a scuffle there.

The prey was difficult enough that a lot of wing flapping took place on the ground and that cleared the leaves.

I think.

I have seen hawks on the ground at water holes and dead critters, but have not observed them dusting. Seems that dusting would likely be in their repertoire.
They are actively breeding at this time. I don't think they do THAT  on the ground, though. Maybe they were just frolicking?

Killdeer  

[Roadkill]

hunter made it while waiting for game, too perfect for animals

[lt-m-grow]

Originally posted by Roadkill:
hunter made it while waiting for game, too perfect for animals

I am going x2 on this.  The hawk is a coincidence I am thinking.

[Sixby]

I think that there's a Squatch in those woods.        

God bless you, Steve

[Arrowest]

I agree with Roadkill, too square for nature. Probably made by a hunter who sat there lots behind a 3 sided ground blind or camo screen.  Maybe had a seat strapped to the tree.

[R. W. Mackey]

Tim:  I think you found the Red Tail's mateing grounds. I hope you didn't bust them up before they finished.......    RW

[Keefer]

I'M 99.9 % NOT SURE....But could be a S.U.S as seen on that T.V. episode of searching for bigfoot but if you can't figure out what S.U.S. means I believe it's a "Squatch Urine Scrape"...  

Grouse dusting, hawk eating?

[Bowwild]

That is a very geometric scuff-out. Of course that wouldn't rule it out as being natural.

Here's a YouTube link to Redtail Hawks mating.

 

I'd be a little surprised if mating occurred on the ground, especially with the tree creating a blind spot. Birds instinctively know they are very vulnerable on the ground.

As others hav esaid, this is the breeding season for large birds of prey -- their broods are timed to be born about the same time that rodents and rabbits are also having broods to feed the young hawks.

[Thumper Dunker]

There is hawk feathers on the ground. Someone cleard the spot and the hawk found it.Hawks do dust them selfs. I could of moved the leafs. ? I like the big foot idea.

[snakebit40]

You've got yourself a big foot Tim!       I don't have a clue. I'm with Thumper Dunker

[PaddyMac]

When I'm standing still against a tree waiting for something to walk by, I scuff the ground around me so when I move I don't make noise when it comes time to make the shot. That's what it looks like to me.

[tukudu]

I am thinking it was Big Ed taking a nap.???

[rraming]

That is clearly from the Walla Walla bird, that is it's breeding area and you should not get very close to it! For anyone thinking I'm serious, I'm not

[lpcjon2]

I believe that the two hawks you saw were actually fighting over a fresh kill in that spot and thats what cleared the area.The large feather at the edge and the smaller maybe breast feathers that are around this makes me think of a food fight.