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Sarasota News Leader November 2, 2012 November 9, 2012 And in the case of the immature hawks hang- ing around your yard, you will have to wait another year until they can breed. But it will be their parents who return to your nesting site, which they use over and over again. At that point, the young ones will move out of your neighborhood and find their own territory. And, oof ... when Red-Shouldereds actually nest in your backyard, you are going to get an earful from them as well as from the Blue Jays and Mockingbirds around your neighborhood: These species do not "play well" together! Wear a hat when gardening and pruning your orange jasmine bushes because hawk parents are fiercely territorial and will swoop down and try to chase you away from their nesting site. There is a Red-Shouldered Hawks' nest at Urfer Family Park, and every spring the staff members have to close the little bridge path by the birds' nesting tree. Aggressive creatures, yes, but their calls are some of the most beautiful I have ever heard. Have you noticed how some of our prettiest birds, Egrets and Herons, for example, emit harsh frog-like cries, while so many of our raptors have the most melodic calls, haunt- ingly sweet? As a rule, Red-Shouldered hawks are monog- amous. Nevertheless, come spring, the male still courts the female by performing incredi- ble aerial dances. This is to show her that he has still got "it," basically the skills to success- Page 77 fully hunt and feed her and the chicks while she nests. He will soar high above and then dive like a comet, only at the last second to swoop in a spiral and soar high again. If she is impressed by his sky-dancing and his impec- cably groomed appearance, she will accept him as her mate. I am ever so pleased that your Red-Shoul- dered Hawk instructed Eric on proper hy- giene and grooming. It is important that he be impeccably groomed and thus acceptable and pleasing to your eyes when he begins his courtship. Come spring, when romance is in the air, please write me again and let me know how Eric is doing with his mousing techniques and his high-altitude barrel rolls. I love a good romance! Otus P.S.: Dear Readers, Kindly ignore everything I wrote above about photos not being important! When it comes to our beloved Siesta Key bobcats, photos are paramount and I look forward to receiving your photos of recent sightings. Otus ABOUT OTUS Otus Rufous, an Eastern Screech-Owl, was born on Sies- ta Key and is a full-time resident there. An avid hunter, accomplished vocalist and genuine night owl, Otus is a keen observer of our local wildlife and knows many of nature's secrets. Otus will answer your questions about our amazing wildlife, but only if you Ask Otus. So please send your questions and photos to askotus@sarasotanews- leader.com. Thank you.