New York Hawk Migration

As cars wiz by on 684, stopping, passing and speeding, they are completely unaware that a similar drama is unfolding high above in the thermal air currents. On September 15^th 2009, 2,542 Raptors flew over Butler Sanctuary in Bedford, NY. The migration usually lasts from August through October, although few days would match the numbers seen on Tuesday. Hawk watching can be a bit weather-dependant as well, and this particular day seemed to be as enjoyable to the birds as it was to the people looking for them. The sanctuary offers a broad southeastern view that on clear days includes Long Island sound. During the migration season, 16 different species of raptors can be seen making their way south.

2,400 of the hawks seen that day were Broad winged Hawks, Buteo platypterus. Although it is often hard for most people to identify the species of raptors that appear as specks in the sky, the behavior of migrating Broad-Wings is a dead giveaway. The birds can travel in groups called "kettles", numbering in the thousands. From a distance the appear to pepper the sky, as they get closer you can see individual birds diving, dodging and soaring, like a 3 dimensional mirror of the roadway below. Birds in such numbers are a challenge to count, and multiple methods often need to be used. Note the Genus "Buteo" in this hawk's scientific name. These birds are also known as "soaring" hawks or "Buzzards" outside of the Americas. The commonly seen Red-tailed Hawk is also a member of this group.

The Sharp shinned hawks Accipiter striatus, came in second on the list that day with 84 birds. Most of these were individual birds that could be distinguished by their smaller size and more frequent wing flapping. These birds are one of three area Accipiter or "forest" hawk species.

The falcons were not to go unrepresented, 26 American Kestrels Falco sparverius, were seen flapping by. This is the smallest North American Falcon, and one of 3 that can be seen flying over Butler.

Red-tailed hawks, Peregrine falcons, Ospreys, Turkey Vultures, Northern Harriers and Cooper's Hawks also made an appearance in the migration count that day. I was told that based on data from further up the migration route that there are bigger days to come. So in case you are sitting in a car stuck on your own daily migration route, daydreaming about ways to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, it's not to late to catch a few thousand raptors on the move.