West Plaza Neighborhood Association

The 3-4-04 major storm with hail and wind of great force brought a huge surprise. Teens ran to my home and reported a sight never before seen: Right in the trees at McLellan and 43rd, the 1st house on the corner, NW side, a HUGE bird, SIX-FOOT wing-span. My husband went out and confirmed the sighting. I was busy working. I wish we took a picture, but the hail was coming down hard. Possible future sightings could mean funding of a Federal or State Legislative or Congression or Dept of Interior source for our park! Something to think about pursuing. Wow! Keep an eye out for this potentially endangered beauty. We may have a gem in our midst. Let's be sure to welcome and protect this lost bird. And keep your little pets inside. No doubt it's a bird of prey.

Large Bird Reported to be a Hawk

I must apologize and admit that my sense of directions are not quite up to my Girl Scout standards of years gone by. That bird was indeed in our neighborhood and not in Glendale. I should have correctly said NE corner of McLellan Blvd. Thank you to those that pointed that out to me and also thank you for doing so in person and not in print. The more recent Scout Members and Eagle Scout types in our neighborhood that have seen the bird have let me know that indeed there is no need to get my tailfeathers in excitement or to think we'll have Bruce Babbitt back in our midst with cameras or taping off the park or setting up anything special. Most likely the winds of the storm blew down an aviary cage or carried in an unusual wind front that lofted this creature perhaps off a remote part of the state or mountainous area, but indeed, a hawk is beautiful but to their knowledge, and I have taken no time to research, not endangered or up for any sort of status or funding. If anyone wants to look into it, go ahead. Probably the nicest thing to do is put up some signs and see if anyone had damage to an aviary, perhaps the bird farm on 27th and aproximately Maryland would be a likely prospect. They are nice folks and I doubt they can suffer to lose birds, though I don't know the price of such. The teens did report the amazing speed at which the local stray cats disappeared with this magnificent bird in our area. Hrm. Perhaps it is a solution to anyone leaving fruit on their trees lest we suffer the plight of some of our unfortunate other communities of interest recognized in this city. I still am hoping for a picture. I've heard of 4 credible people telling me of the six-foot wing-spanned now dubbed hawk, but I have not seen it myself. Pictures are wanted.

Keep the faith!
Your Neighbor, RE:LN