[Tvc15_2000]

Time to see how well that glass performs and if you are getting what you paid for!

Free printable Hawk ID chart
http://www.hmana.org/documents/NEHW_Hawk_Guide_08.pdf


You can find daily and monthly totals for a hawk watch near you here (if there is one near you).
http://hawkcount.org/

For instance here is the Hawk Mtn PA daily count
http://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php...&go=Go+to+site
Cape May NJ daily count
http://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php...&go=Go+to+site
Quaker Ridge CT
http://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php...&go=Go+to+site


Bird decoder
BV Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
TV Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
OS Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
BE Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
NH Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
SS Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
CH Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
NG Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
RS Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
BW Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
RT Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
RL Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
GE Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
AK American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
ML Merlin (Falco columbarius)
PG Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
UA Unknown Accipiter (Falconiformes sp.)
UB Unknown Buteo (Falconiformes sp.)
UF Unknown Falcon (Falconiformes sp.)
UE Unknown Eagle (Falconiformes sp.)
UR Unknown Raptor (Falconiformes sp.)
MK Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)

[FrankD]

Nice post TV. I actually just printed the Hawk ID guide for the Eastern US yesterday. I also submitted a request to join their forums so I could post about an upcoming migration feat at the local hawk watch site.

My bins have been getting a great deal of exercise lately.

[Tvc15_2000]

Thanks Frank,

The Broad Wing migration never fails to get me excited. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nltUkCBvkHc (video from Wildcat Ridge, NJ Sept 17, 2011)

On Tuesday Quaker Ridge CT counted groups of BWs heading south west. During the sam hour of the day similar groups were seen at the Montclair NJ hawk watch to the South West - same way the wind was blowing (a 50 mile drive but only 25 miles as the hawk fly’s).

My theory is on that day the BWs decided to take advantage of the winds blowing south and did not (by choice) (or could not) fly west for the updrafts of the Kittatinny Mountains which they could ride south and would take them south over Hawk Mtn and Waggoners Gap PA on that day. I spend my life being at the wrong location for the Big Day... I don’t think we have had “The Big Day” (when ten thousand BWs) can fly over yet this year.

My biggest fly over was about a 2 thousand BWs – it looked like a horizon to horizon conveyer belt of Broad Wings flying mostly single file from one thermal where they kettle’d and gained altitude before single file’ing for miles to the next thermal!

When I got my first look at those tail bands and other birds hitchhiking in the BW kettles the bins and scope again paid for themselves with enjoyment.

Enjoy!

[FrankD]

I am right there with you when it comes to Broadwinfs. They are my favorite especially when it comes to big kettles. The first time I saw one amazed me. I first thought they were a swarm of insects through the scope. Simply amazing.

I have watched Hawkcount over the last few days and noted the big numbers up in Mass and New Hampshire. Hawk Mountain had a decent day today with over 1300 birds despite the less than favorable winds. I am heading up to Bake Oven Saturday and Sunday mornings as the wind forecast looks very favorable. If/when you get out I wish you the best of luck.

[Tvc15_2000]

Winds blowing @ 7-13MPH from north west to south east on Saturday look excellent!

Todays count at Hawk Mtn are great. The birds have taken the Appalachian Mountain route today. Your in the right spot for tomorrow!

I am going to try a hawk watch 11 miles east of the Hudson river in hopes the BWs in my erea will ride the winds rather than work a headwind and try for for the Appalacians. Its impossible to have a bad day if your on a mountain with a 360 view and south winds.

80mm scope with a 20-60 eyepiece will be getting a work out with the 10x32 bins.

Good Luck on the Knob.

[Tvc15_2000]

GREAT BROAD-WING WATCHING the last few days with all the watches in my area (northern NJ) reporting good numbers. I went to the Montclair NJ hawk watch on Saturday, and my gamble paid off with 983 Broad Wings. Lots of Humming birds and Monarchs zooming south on the favorable winds.

The BWs did not show in numbers till late afternoon but the birds kept everyone busy with Osprey (20), Kestrel (31), Merlin (4), Sharp Shin (72), Coopers (9), Harrier (1) and Bald Eagles (13) while we waited! Late in the day the BWs came in numbers (983) http://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php...&go=Go+to+site

Wildcat Ridge counted 2631 Broad Wings today 9/17
http://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php...&go=Go+to+site

Quaker Ridge CT has a whopping 5432 Broad Wings Sunday 9/16
http://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php...&go=Go+to+site

The Broad Wings seem to be coming down groups rather than the one huge group we sometimes see, to the joy of the many watches that are enjoying the show.

I am amazed at some of the counters who spot a raptor with their binoculars and then find it at a great distance in a compleately blank blue sky with a scope! I have been on many hawk watchs but that skill is one I have not masterd yet. But I did notice some of the scopes were worn shiny smooth from all the use!

Too bad I have to work. Work is the bane of the birder.

For those who have not gone on a hawk watch – everyone is welcome. No need to be an expert. “Spotters” (meaning anyone) who help find the birds in the sky are very welcome. Just point out a bird and the expert counters will gratefully help you learn how to ID it. The more eyes looking up the higher the counts. The beginner who can spot birds is valued as much as the expert.

When you get a good day, with lots of brids heading south your ID skills instantly improve because you get to see the birds side by side in the air and make comparisons. I personally think there is no more enjoyable way to learn/enjoy raptors. On evey watch somone points out some new behavior or other way to ID the birds.

Far more fun than a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRDeI7P3Tps