Hawkwatching

Pete Dunne, director of the Cape May Bird Observatory, on the Cape May Hawkwatch platform

Hawkwatching (sometimes referred to as hawkcounting) is a mainly citizen science activity where experienced volunteers count migratory raptors (birds of prey) in an effort to survey migratory numbers.[1] Groups of hawkwatchers often congregate along well-known migratory routes,[2] such as mountain ridges, coastlines, and land bridges, where raptors ride on updrafts created by the topography. Hawkwatches are often formally or informally organized under the guise of a non-profit organization, such as an Audubon chapter, state park, wildlife refuge or other important birding area. Some hawkwatches remain independent of any organizing structure and simply count hawks independently.

Regardless of their organization and structure, most hawkwatchers post their count numbers each day to hawkcount.org,[3] a non-profit website that serves as the primary outlet for hawkwatching data. Other platforms such as eBird are also used, but usually include other types of birds.

Techniques and equipment

A high flying osprey passes the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch as it migrates south for the winter. The distinct M-shape of the silhouette is a key identifier for this species.

Hawkwatchers usually use binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras to aid in the identification of the flying raptors. Unlike other forms of birding, auditory cues are rare, for many raptors do not vocalize in flight. Instead, hawkwatchers rely on shape, flight behavior, and plumage to identify the raptors as they pass the hawk site.[4] Several books specialize in learning hawk identification, which is usually challenging because of the distances and the speed at which the raptors are migrating. Hawks At A Distance[5] and Hawks From Every Angle[6] by Jerry Liguori specifically helps hawkwatchers identify raptors that are high in the sky, at odd angles, and appearing unusually small. Unlike typical field guides, these books attempt to help understand the motion of the bird, its temperament, and personality, something that is most significantly described in Hawks in Flight by Dunne, Sibley, and Sutton as gestalt.

Definitions

The word "hawk" in hawkwatching is used to describe common birds of prey. Typical North American raptor families and species are given below:

Hawkwatchers are the people, usually volunteers, that spot and identify the migrating raptors. Hawk counters are responsible for keeping an accurate tally of the numbers for each species. Each hawkwatch usually designates an official counter who is responsible for certifying the count's accuracy.[3]

Organizations

The Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) is a membership-based organization committed to the conservation of raptors through the scientific study, enjoyment, and appreciation of raptor migration.[7] Hawk Migration Studies is the official journal of HMANA and is printed twice a year, once for the spring migration and once for the fall migration.

Notable hawkwatches

Hawkcount.org lists over 300 hawk sites, with a 173 being recently active. During the 2015 spring migration, Hawk Migration Studies reported on 37 spring sites. For the fall migration, 130 sites were reported. Below is a list of noteworthy hawk sites:

  • Allegheny Front Hawk Watch in Cairnbrook, Pennsylvania, holds several records for golden eagles for the Eastern Flyway, including: the one-day record of 74 golden eagles counted on October 24, 2015 (Allegheny Front Hawk Watch held the previous record with 65 golden eagles set in 2012); the fall seasonal record of 320 golden eagles; and the total year count of 386 golden eagles.[8] The Allegneny Front Hawk Watch is the highest hawkwatch in Pennsylvania.[9]
  • Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, Pennsylvania, has hawk migration data posted on hawkcount.org dating back to 1934.[10]
  • Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch in State College, Pennsylvania, recorded the highest number of golden eagles in the Eastern Flyway for a spring count with 239 birds in 2015.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Cape May Hawkwatch Marks 40 Years of Tracking Wildlife". Cape May County Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  2. ↑ Huang, Sunnie (4 April 2015). "Hawk enthusiasts observe spring migration at annual Hawkwatch". CBC News. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 Wargo, Brian M. (2016). "Bird!": An Exploration of Hawkwatching. McKees Rocks, PA: BMW Endeavors. ISBN 978-1-945226-00-7.
  4. ↑ Dunne, Pete; Sibley, David; Sutton, Clay (2012). Hawks in Flight (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Hartcourt. ISBN 978-0-395-70959-7.
  5. ↑ Liguori, Jerry (2011). Hawks at a Distance: Identification of Migrant Raptors. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-13559-5.
  6. ↑ Liguori, Jerry (2005). Hawks from Every Angle: How to Identify Raptors in Flight. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-11825-6.
  7. ↑ "Hawk Migration Association of North America". www.hmana.org. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  8. 1 2 Wargo, Brian (2016). "A Golden Year in Pennsylvania". Hawk Migration Studies. 41 (2): 3.
  9. ↑ Bonta, Marcia (2010-11-01). "Allegheny Front Hawk Watch". Marcia Bonta. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
  10. ↑ "HawkCount". www.hawkcount.org. Retrieved 2017-02-26.
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