The first morning, before we non-hunters rolled out of ye olde sleeping bags, there was this screaming sound from the air.  I recognized it as a raptor of some sort, but wasn't sure.......it happened at around 7 a.m., and almost every morning I heard it!  I would jump up and run out to see if I could spot the source, but there were so many trees around us that I couldn't find it. 

One morning, I heard it swoosh down wings a flapping and then heard a "squeek-squeek-ing" sound.  I am sure the predator caught a mouse or something---so close I could hear it. 

My daughter said that she saw dozens of golden eagles all over these rocky outcroppings while they were out hunting.  I was hoping my phantom "screamer" was an eagle, but after researching the call, it appears it was a red-tailed hawk.  You can get on this great website, E-Nature, and hear just about any bird call imaginable.  You do have to register, but it doesn't take much.  And there is much more than bird calls----check it out!

Oh, and here is a fun printable page from Enchanted Learning on the hawk, and a link to a wonderful page of photos and info. Click here!