Date: 3/9/23 5:40 am From: Olcott, Susan P <00000176456333a3-dmarc-request...> Subject: chases and courtship
On my morning walk with my dog in southern Monongalia Co, we first flushed a barred owl from along the trail. Always a happy sight and we would have been satisfied with that.
Then we heard hawky sounds from up the hill. Kinda early for a Coopers to be vocalizing that much, and we saw soaring shapes through the trees. A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks. No, three? And a fourth. A dogfight ensued over our heads with (likely) the pair that normally claims that patch of forest contesting a pair of interlopers. Chases, dives, and vocalizations continued for several minutes, with one pair victorious and escorting the losers away, then returning for a victory lap.
The Barred Owl punctuated the end of the event with a couple of "who-cooks-for-you".
My dog, who is a springer spaniel and is entranced with birds, sat and watched and listened to the whole thing. What could be better?
