A GUIDE TO EASTERN HAWK WATCHING

Contents

Hawk Identification 9

New World Vultures: Cathartidae 9

Kites, Hawks, Harriers, Eagles: Accipitridae 10

Ospreys: Pandionidae 15

Caracaras and Falcons: Falconidae 15

Plates 17

Field Equipment 53

Binoculars 53

Telescopes 53

Decoys 53

Field Clothing 53

Other Equipment 54

The Migration Seasons 55

Spring Hawk Migrations 55

Autumn Hawk Migrations 55

Mechanics of Hawk Flights 58

General Weather Conditions 58

Updrafts 59

Thermals 59

Diversion-Lines 60

The Hawk Lookouts 62

Great Lakes Region and Eastern Canada 62

Minnesota 62

Wisconsin 63

Michigan 63

Ohio 64

Pennsylvania 66

New York 67

Ontario 67

Nova Scotia 69

New England 70

Maine 70

New Hampshire 70

Vermont 71

Massachusetts 72

Connecticut 73

Middle Atlantic States 74

New York 74

New Jersey 76

Pennsylvania 80

Maryland 86

Delaware 86

Virginia 87

West Virginia 88

Southern Appalachian States 90

Tennessee 90

Kentucky 91

North Carolina 91

Florida 91

Appendix 1 Raptor Conservation Organizations 92

Appendix 2 Sample Field Data Forms 93

Selected Reading 97

Index 98