Hawk hangout spot?

[Kaesi2020]

Hi everyone, just a general question. I saw a large bird overhead that I thought could be a hawk, my chickens free ranging must have saw it too because they ran under the mountain laurel for protection. Below is a pic of where we saw it. Would a hawk hang out in such thick forest? I always assumed they wanted clear views. I'm a newbie and I plan on getting some books out at the library on the common predators in our area. Thanks!

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Ask a local ranger if hawks are living in your area.
Hawks do live near/in forest area’s and big trees

 

[centrarchid]

Adult female hawks should be well into molt and catching eats is easy. From what I have observed the molting adults become less active as they manage the feather replacement process. When not hunting, the hawks I see are getting more into cover and not overly concerned with maintaining their territory unless chicks not yet independent. Males will not start molt until chicks independent. Thus, the location shown in photograph looks good for a hawk trying to stay away from traffic.