Recently we noticed that fewer squirrels are showing up in our backyard. None of the regulars except dragtail have been spotted in weeks, no Piggy, no Gracie. 
It’s still a harsh winter out there and we have free food. We couldn’t figure it out.
This morning I noticed what look like coyote tracks in the snow leading up to the back yard. I guess they could be dog tracks, but few dogs roam loose in our neighbourhood.
While I was following the tracks and noticing that they led all the way to the back of the house where the squirrels usually eat, I also noticed how quiet it was.
There was not a single bird singing, and only one squirrel in a tree in a neighbour’s yard, sitting perfectly still.
This usually means one thing: a hawk.
And just as I looked up a huge hawk flew by and disappeared behind a tree.
Far far away, I could hear a squirrel making an alarm call.
I hope they didn’t get any of our friends.
