>>I'm also surprised nobody played a tape to this bird. If it responded with
>>even a brief call, the case would be open and shut in my opinion.
>
>I agree. Where they are common, Red-shoulders are very vocal, much more so
>than Red-tails, in my experience. Have people heard any of the Ridgefield
>birds calling?

>Dennis Paulson

In January of 1995, Wilson Cady, my brother Bill and I observed the bird at
the River S Unit of Ridgefield NWR. We had given up on it and were heading
back to the parking area, when we heard it call. Bill and I grew up in
Marin County, California, and when we heard it we looked at each other and
identified it almost immediately. Walking back out toward the wet areas,
we saw the bird. So that bird at least, has been vocal. I am not sure how
to describe it, but it is distinct from any Red-tail I have ever heard.

Tim

Tim Shelmerdine
Lake Oswego/Aurora, Oregon
shelmert at mail.clackesd.k12.or.us