Scratching Away, Happily

Almost two months ago I cleared a space near the front yard feeders, eliminating an overgrown juniper that was a nice place for predators (read: cats) to hide.  I've been fascinated how the birds responded to this area.  One species that has really taken to the space is Eastern Towhee.  I have seen the male, female and this year's juvenile all use the space as a scratching ground.  They seem content enough even given its wide openness.  But evidently it provides a feast of invertebrates, else they would spend more time skulking in the brushy areas.  Personally I am delighted to find them out in the open although I worry about hawks.  So far so good.  I'm happy, and perhaps, so are the towhees.