The past few days I have been delighted to see and hear two red-shouldered hawks acting very much like a pair on our property on Flint Ridge in western Muskingum County. Half an hour ago (about 1:00 PM) they were calling to each other from treetops on either side of the hilltop field leading out the tributary ridge toward the back (northeast) part of our property. A couple days ago I watched the smaller of the two, presumably the male, flying back and forth across this area, repeatedly visiting the object of his attention. I haven't found any nest yet, or seen any actual nest-building activity, but I plan to monitor the situation. It is great to see such entertaining birds in one's "backyard." Bluebirds out and about along the central fencerow in the early winter sun are an additional delight today. I believe I count 6. Happy Solstice! Bob Evans Geologist, etc. Hopewell Township, Muskingum County ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]