In the late morning of Sunday, July 14, an adult male red tail hawk was shot and killed in my neighborhood. No, I didn’t actually see this happen but had been watching this huge beautiful bird flying over my house minutes before and heard gun shots. Then he never was seen again. His mate has been screaming regularly since. I think I’m almost as heartbroken as she. Both had been around here for months.

This happened in the vicinity of Vashon Highway and 216th Street, off to the east before the slope down toward Monument Road. I was outside at the time and am positive the shots came from that area.

These birds are a protected species, and it’s a federal offence to kill one. There is no excuse good enough to justify this.

If you know who did this, please contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife, (800) 344-9453. You need to have the dead animal or a witness for them to help.

In this case I have neither. There is no mistake though, and at least one other knows this too. Whoever did this needs to be held accountable.

Also, it is illegal to discharge a firearm unless you’re protecting yourself.

It is also good to report gunfire in any residential area as a non-emergency call to 911.

—  Chris Bradley