View Full Version : NJ Hawk Migration.
For the next month or so raptors of all types will be migrating south along the Appalachain Mountains. Sunrise Mountain in NJ is a great place to see the show. Bring a jacket, folding chair, binoculars and picnic lunch. From the Sunrise Mtn parking lot follow the AT 200 Yds South to the summit pavilion. On weekends there are usually birdwatchers around to help identify the species. My wife basically hates hiking, but loves to share this AT experience with me.
There is also the Mt. Peter Hawk Watch (http://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=372) in Warwick. A blue blazed trail just north of Rte 17A leads to the platform. I was a long time participant in the hawk watch. Broad Winged Hawks will rule the weekend as their numbers swell. September is also the best month to see Bald Eagles. Golden Eagles can be seen regularly above Sunrise Mountain & Raccoon Ridge in November. This weekend - you could potentialy see thousands of Broad Wings in an afternon. I saw a few dozen migrating above the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday.
PS: If anyone goes up to the Mt. Peter Watch - please tell Judy that Jeffrey Hunter sends his regards from Tennessee.
For those interested in hawk watching - check out this site - http://hawkcount.org/sitesel.php
Mr. Clean
09-16-2006, 14:23
I haven't really hawk watched on the AT, but Cape May New Jersey is phenomenal for all types of raptors. It's a bit of a drive from Maine, but worth it the few times I've gone. Here in Southern Maine I usually head to Mt. Agamenticus (non AT). I've heard hawk mtn is good.
Dances with Mice
09-16-2006, 14:31
I just look out my back door.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13082&page=103
Post 2048.
Located just one and one-half miles off the AT on a Blue Blaze trail, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is one of the most famous hawk watching sites in the world. Founded in 1934, it was the first refuge developed to protect birds of prey. It is visited by birders from around the world.
http://www.hawkmountain.org/default.shtml
I just look out my back door.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13082&page=103
Post 2048.
That's in all liklihood an immature Sharp Shinned Hawk (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3320id.html). They can be difficult to distinguish from a Coopers Hawk (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i3330id.html). Especially in flight. Regardless, it is an Accipiter. Notice the length of the tail - and the banding in the tail. Their favorite prey is songbirds..
Dances with Mice
09-16-2006, 16:02
That's in all liklihood an immature Sharp Shinned Hawk (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3320id.html). They can be difficult to distinguish from a Coopers Hawk (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i3330id.html). Especially in flight. Regardless, it is an Accipiter. Notice the length of the tail - and the banding in the tail. Their favorite prey is songbirds..I expect you're right and that explains why the seed feeders near him were vacated - you can see in the first photo that he's eyeing the safflower tube feeder. It's mounted on a pole above and to the left of the boomerang but it was vacant.
And the hummingbirds, who will tirelessly harrass mockingbirds & roosting owls, were showing him respect.