As one becomes a better birder, sound becomes a increasingly important factor in locating birds.

Yesterday, I got out of the car at one of my favorite birding spots and heard  a squeak wheel type song coming from a near by pond.  When I got to the pond . . . the song was coming from up on a connecting hill.  Eventually I saw our carnivorous song bird the Northern Shrike vocalizing.  First time I’ve heard one sing.

A few minutes later I followed a rattle to Belted Kingfisher and then some angry crows to a Red-tailed Hawk.