Hawks are not that numerous as opposed to prey species and I would tend to think skunks,other members of the weasel family and raccoons are the main culprits.Ground nesting birds really get it from these predators, which are on the rise population wise, in many locales.I like birds of prey and they,after all, are killing to live as opposed to sport hunting for humans.Crows are another menace to all ground nesting birds. I have watched them many times raiding nests of ducks and other ground nesting birds. They, too, are just staying alive but their numbers need to be controlled as they have no problems adapting to human beings,something which cannot be said for most birds of prey.
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