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BIRD BEHAVIOR
Hawkwatching
Hawks are spectacular birds, and hawk migration is one of the most exciting events in the natural world. Believe it or not, it's also relatively easy to see. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your hawkwatching.
Some common migrating hawks
 | Buteos: large hawks with wide wings built for soaring; glide for long periods at a time. In the East, the most numerous Buteo is the Broad-winged Hawk; in the West, it is the Swainson's Hawk. |
| | Accipiters: slim, long-tailed hawks with short wings built for rapid flight among trees; alternate flapping and gliding. The two most common Accipiters are the Sharp-shinned Hawk and the Cooper's Hawk. |
| | Falcons: hawks with long, pointed wings built for incredibly fast flight; catch prey after swift aerial dives. They are not as common as Buteos or Accipiters, but the three falcons you are most likely to encounter are the Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, and Kestrel. |
| | Osprey: a fairly large, long-winged bird which often soars in circles. It is not a true hawk but can be seen migrating along with hawks. Only one species. |
Where to go
| | Almost any high point with a north-south view is good for watching hawks. Some of the best places in the United States are Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania; Cape May, New Jersey; Mt. Wachusett, Massachusetts; Duluth, Minnesota; Point Pelee, Ontario; Goshute Mountains, Utah; Charleston, South Carolina; Derby Hill, New York; and San Francisco, California. |
Best conditions
| | Hawks prefer to migrate with the aid of tailwinds, so try to go out when there are North to Northwest winds. |
| | Partly cloudy days can be good, for it is easier to spot the hawks against the white clouds. |
What to bring
| | Optics: good binoculars are essential. You may even want to have a telescope along, but have a sturdy tripod, because high winds can knock a scope over! |
| | Clothing: Dress in layers and bring an extra jacket or sweater, as well as gloves and a hat; it can be cold up on a hawk lookout. If it warms up, you can remove layers as necessary. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, since you may be standing on rocks. You may also need sunscreen. |
| | Backpack: For carrying your extra clothing, as well as lunch, drinks, field guide, camera, notebook (see below). |
| | Chair: A lawn chair is a good idea. You can also get a collapsible, easily portable chair from an outdoor supply store; some can even be strapped to your backpack. |
| | Notebook: Useful for recording what you see, especially making a sketch or writing down details when you encounter a species that you do not recognize. Keep a running total of how many of each species you see. |
Hawkwatching tips
| | Do some studying beforehand; look at photos of hawks in flight in our Stokes Field Guide to Birds and read the "In Flight" descriptions |
| | If there is an expert hawkwatcher present, pay careful attention to what details he or she looks for when making an identification. |
| | Learn what hawks you can expect to see in your area, and when. This will help you to narrow down the options when you are trying to identify a hawk. |
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