Like clockwork, today saw the arrival of a Red-shouldered Hawk back on territory in our wooded wetland area. Red-shouldered hawks show up every spring at some point during the first two weeks of March. They perch at the edge of hardwood stands surveying the open areas, wetlands and ponds for prey below.
In the summer, they mostly prey on snakes, frogs and baby ducks to feed their young. Right now with a foot of snow on the ground and frozen water, they will have to search for small mammals and an occasional bird. A true sign of spring is when a pair of red-shouldered hawks circle overhead in a courtship ritual with their distinctive call. Here is a sample from xeno-canto: