Why I bird alone

 Because I bird alone you could call me a Stringer. If you are with me in the field and I point out a Goshawk soaring quite far away, or if a NG is ripping through at about 100 feet altitude, even if you are an advanced birder, you will come away from the experience with an expression of : well, maybe it was a Harrier, or a Falcon, or an accipiter, but I am not confident in my evaluation. 

This experience is disheartening. That is why I bird alone. 

The Thought — Be alert, be aware. Take care of yourself. NB.

I am wrong again

 Well, wrong again for me. A few months ago, I posted that the Chinese Virus would cause, allow, many birders to spend more time in the field. And more time within their neighborhood, the suburbs and the cities. And this would result in many more than normal or more than average sightings of the Goshawk. I pay strict attention to the state listserve of PA., NJ, and WA. Those are the only state birding lists I observe. So, I would say my contention was way off. Even though the birders new to birding or new to making birding a serious endeavor will increase my chance to be correct of my contention.To clarify, even a novice birder can identify the perched accipiter if the hawk is a mature NG. Or inform some other birder of the location and some of the features of the perched raptor therefore, possibly, that raptor can be reported as a NG or possible NG. Or at another advanced day. So, what this means: This scenario is an added factor as to how wrong was I. I am an honest person, a very honest person. And this will lead into another essay: Why I will not analyze my NG photos for you. NB.

The Thought: On TV— the film teaser was rolling the words— China factory production up in Mach. They do have trouble with their “r”s. If you have trouble with “r”s just leave them out. NB.

The Freiday Bird Blog

 Monday, December 28, 2020. Title: Twenty- four ways to tell Sharp- Shinned Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks apart. Freidaybird.blogspot.com

I like the chart design. There are no photos within the chart, which might interfere with the words. I am not critical of the chart. NB.

The Thought: I wonder if GB will ever have a blog? Would I be flagged? NB.

Large Cooper’s Hawk

 A large female Cooper’s Hawk (COHA) went to perch near my house. It was female and mature.  The date will be on the photo. I caught a few of the last flaps as the hawk went to perch. The hawk appeared in flight and perched to be a goshawk. In other words the hawk was too large to be a female COHA. My analysis: tail appeared short, probably NG. The bird was large, NG. The chest and belly were ticked red, COHA, but, that is not enough info for me. The chest was robust, NG. Now I had to concentrate on the head. The head was turning over the right and left shoulder, indicating COHA, but the head was not snapping into positions, maybe not COHA. The head appeared to be small and round, NG. Now, I had to concentrate on the facial markings. The facial field marks were of a COHA. I was of the opinion that a COHA is a COHA. That there was no such thing as a large COHA, or a huge COHA. So, now when some person reports a large COHA, I will be open to the suggestion.

Last winter, in the same location, was a perched accipiter with a robust chest and the hawk appeared large, for a COHA. But, it was a COHA. It flew of over head in level and downward flight. Then it lowered altitude and went into trees and shrubs about a hundred yards away. The last few wing beats were some what sloppy, and uncoordinated. Typical COHA.

In this photo, I initially was not in the best position to photo the chest. So I adjusted my position to get closer and to observe the chest and that was where the the sun light was— on the front of the hawk. The lens was at two- thousand mm. Actually I was too close or to near to being somewhat   under the hawk. Have you ever observed a photo of a group of birders at the base of a telephone pole, with them all looking up with their cameras and binoculars. Looking at an owl or hawk? Well, that is the worst position to be in to observe. They should back off, back away. Because you will get a distorted look at the size and shape of the head. Also, the size and shape  of the eye will be attenuated. And the top of the head, the color and pattern will not be visible. NB.

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The possible goshawk at Skagit Regional Airport

Bait and switch continued

 So, you could say that I did a bait and switch. Or a bait and one- half switch. Or a bait and one and  one half switch. Now, back to the continuation of the subject and how it is possible that two accipiters, different species pulled a bait and switch. That goshawk which flew over the thin tree line, kept going. It did not go to perch. What happened was that the goshawk flew over the perched Cooper’s Hawk. Probably did not even make a pass or an attack on the perched Cooper’s. I have observed a raptor of one species fly over another perched raptor and not bother to harass the perched raptor, many times. This bait and switch was pulled on me in Tucson. The hawk in flight was a goshawk and the perched hawk, was a Cooper’s. To define— both accipiter were not apparent at the same time. Bait and Switch.NB.

, The Thought: Should I do an essay on you and your right to vote and how you have been for many years been fooled. Again— The bait and switch. Has nothing to do with which party.NB.

My mis- information

 Sorry for the delay of the photograph of the previous post. The two of us has finally learned how to insert a photo from my wi- fi camera into my blog. Also, I mis- remembered what William Clark has written and what Brian Wheeler has painted. They say and show a perched goshawk with a tapered or wedge shaped tail. The tail looks like a dagger. The tail tip is pointed- sharply.

Now, will you see this condition often? No. And probably mainly in winter.

I submitted to Tweeters, the ABA listserve for Washington, about the sighting at the airport, and said I will send a report the WOS — Washington Ornithological Society. I will not sent a report, because the photo does not nail the species as Goshawk. The only time I will submit a Scientific Report is when I have a detailed photograph.

Here is what might have happened concerning the sighting. The raptor was at 75- 100 feet altitude to my right front. The bird flapped about 10 times and crossed my front. Then the raptor when over the thin tree line. This was about 100 yards to my front. When I approached this area and found a hole in the tree line, there was a perched accipiter, away from the tree line. Two single photos were snapped at the lens at two thousand mm. Does the photo nail the species. I say NO. To be continued on the next posting. NB.

Goshawk and photo- Skagit Regional Airport

 A  Goshawk, probably female, cut across my path near the highway. The hawk was at 100 feet elevation and went to perch. One photo was taken. The sun was toward the front and side of the hawk. Therefore, most “field marks” and “details” are lacking. However, I will go against my scripture and analyze this photograph for you.

The photo is of an accipiter. The tail- tip is wedge shaped. William Clark writes that a goshawk has a wedge shaped tail - tip.This might be true in many cases but not all cases. So, how we turn an  unsubstantial factor into a substantial factor? How about — The chance of you observing a Cooper’s Hawk or a Sharp- shinned Hawk with a wedge shaped tail is very slim! It is my understanding that Goshawks have a wide or broad tail when completely folded. To me this photograph does not show a broad tail. It could be that the body feathers were fluffed, therefore the tail width would not appear broad. The temperature was about 45 degrees with wind at about 2 miles per hour.

To wrap up this small part of my philosophy of raptor- photo analysis: This photo is of a goshawk only because of the wedge shaped tail. In other words, if this photo did not present the distinct tail tip, then I would call this photograph: An Accipiter. Much more to say on: Why I do not care to analyze my many photos of Goshawks in Tucson, Apache Junction, AZ. And N. Whidbey Island and Anacortes. And why I do not care to analyze your photos for you. In due time, I will place the photo on the posting. NB.

Accipiter identification

This from a report on the internet: The Identification  of North American Accipiters.

Seventy man- years of watching and trapping distilled herewith : How to, and how not to, identify accipiters. Helmet C. Mueller, Daniel D. Berger and George Allez.

This you will not find in this article: Wing shape, wing holding, and wing movement. In other words, the article is about a dead specimen or a live, hand held bird. The authors do write of the mechanics of wing speed compared to wing structure and wing length. I say, wing speed can vary, depending on many factors. However, wing speed is only a small part of wing action.

The take-away: A very interesting, informative article. It will open the eyes of many birders. However, this article, scientific paper, is not about hawk watching. NB.

Raptor solving

 I will be posting some comments on raptor solving photos from whatbird.com. This does not violate my rule— I will not analyze your photograph for you and I will not analyze my many photos of NG for you. I prefer to let you stew in your raptor problems of identification. And will have a lengthy essay on the subject. In other words, we are dealing with third- party photographs.

Whatbird.com posted NOV. 21 2020. Sharp shinned Hawk? Sacramento, California, by Aiden. As of now only two people commented. Possibly no more will comment because the top gun has made his answer to the question. Tony Luekering is affiliated with the web site and is thought as an expert, he is not an expert on raptor identification. But, let me walk it back, in the field he may be an expert. I say that raptor identification from photos of raptors in flight can be difficult and many time I will lay off the question of — What species. Maybe Tony should have not tried to nail the species. This photo in question is not a Cooper’s Hawk. It is a Sharp- shinned Hawk. However, I should walk it back, it is possible to be a Goshawk. They are basically the same structure. But, some, maybe most Sharp- shinned Hawks have a “waist”. This bird has no waist. It is, therefore is, not a Cooper’s Hawk. Caution — be very aware of what the comments state on this Whatbird.com website. NB.

Female Goshawk

 Female NG at about 100 feet altitude. The road leading into Skagit Regional Airport, very near the highway, which is Highway 20. NB.

Many Ravens

 Many Ravens were reported from the kitchen window. It was stated that there may have been 100 Ravens. I jumped up and caught the tail- end of the flight. There were 15 or more Ravens in tight formation and very low, heading toward Saint Mary’s Church, Anacortes. It was at 6 pm. And windy and raining. Here is my suggestion. If you live anywhere near the Anacortes Area, Monday morning spend time observing the sky, to try and pick- off a lift-off.NB. Oct.11. This is a good tactic. NB.

On Donald Trump

 Hollywood was all set to produce a movie on the life of Donald Trump, but the deal fell through. Why? Because Regis Philbin died. NB. 

I am Suspicious

This post is about photographs and photographers. It does not pertain specifically to birding or hawking. But, in this case it does. I am referring to the accipiter photograph on Whatbird, Sept. 27 2020, under the title Cooper’s Hawk or Sharp shinned Hawk. This photo, taken in South Florida was an accipiter, but not a Cooper’s Hawk. I am quite sure the accipiter is female,  because of the long wings. On this post, I will not relate why It is a NG. On my next post, I will analyze the photo.

Here are the questions I ask. 1– Who is the photographer. In other words, what is his personality, his character. 2- What was his motive for taking the photo. 3- What type of camera. What type of lens. 4- What was the altitude of the hawk. 5- what was the lapsed time of observation. 6- How was the hawk acting, or behaving. 6- What was the SIZE of the hawk.

Now, a general question to experienced hawk watchers and to scientists. What is the chance of observing an immature accipiter with a distinct white eye- line. What is the chance of observing an immature Goshawk with a facial pattern which is immature in texture, and containing a prominent white eye- line. NB.

Correction

 My last posting of Sept. 27 incorrectly stated the date of the Whatbird posting was Sept. 28. Correct that post to Sept. 27. NB.

An Important Rule

 Beware of the way birders have been programmed. Be aware of this statement: Is this hawk a Cooper’s or a Sharp- shinned Hawk? What is wrong with this way of thinking? The Goshawk is left out of the equation.

On Sept. 28 2020, today: On Whatbird, from Mush— Raptors are migrating through South Florida now, and here’s one I can’t seem to identify. If anyone could help...The title of the post is Cooper’s Hawk or Sharp shinned Hawk. There have not been any reply yet. I say this hawk is not a Cooper’s. I am leaning strongly toward Northern Goshawk.NB.

Goshawks unreported

 This article is on how to identify accipiters. Which is the same construct as how to identify raptors. Goshawks are being well- under reported. Why? But birders, even advanced birders, do not understand the Cooper’s Hawk. If birders understood the Cooper’s Hawk, then depending on their skill level, when they observe an accipiter in flight, within seconds, they could call out “ That is not a Cooper’s Hawk”.

Let’s say you are walking a field alongside of a wood lot or a forest. And forty feet away. I realize that as a birder you would want to be walking right-up against the tree line. You notice behind your position toward the right a raptor is heading your way. The hawk is following the tree line. Your initial impression is that the hawk is an accipiter. As the hawk draws nearer you are more certain the hawk is accipiter. You feel the hawk is accipiter because of the wing beats and the low altitude of the hawk and its proximity to the trees. As the hawk draws closer you try and zero in on the head. As the hawk draws broadside, you notice the tail length. It is accipiter long. Then you observe the tail tip and the terminal band. Is the band white, or off- white. Is the band thick or thin. What of the tail tip. Is it rounded or square. Or club shaped. You observe the chest and belly for color and pattern. The head is examined for size and shape as the hawk is now past your broadside. You try and determine if the head protrudes past the wrists of the wings, in active flight. As the hawk is well- past broadside you can pick up on the chest and belly again. But, what is missing from this little adventure? The wing beats, the wing holding, and the wing structure. Most North American raptors in the East and on Puget Sound can be identified by their wing beats, wing shape and proportions, and their wing holding. I will say it again, most birders do not understand the Cooper’s Hawk in flight.

Now, let’s go over the adventure again to understand why it might be difficult to get a feel for the wings of the hawk. If it is Fall, the back ground of the scene could be made of many colors, red, brown, pink, orange, gold, tan, light green with sections of darkness. All of this adds toward a back ground of texture, therefore the wings of the hawk blend in with the texture. What about a green forest? The color green, probably more than any other color can have more values and the various values have various intensities. All this leads to a back ground of textures. So, the best way to observe raptors in flight as a student is to observe the raptor near your zenith. And the hawk should be close, for if close the hawk can be observed naked eye. Sky should be the back ground. The sky is either blue or grey. Or blue with white, or red, or orange. Now the back ground will have no texture. And this is what you might see if you are observing a Cooper’s Hawk.

Some people will say that the Cooper’s Hawk (COHA) has great control over its wings. I say the bird has the appearance of being spastic. COHA is a high- strung species. It cannot make up its mind on which path to take. The hawk might juke to the left just a few degrees, then correct its position, all within a second. The hawk might tilt and correct within a second or two. The hawk might yaw for just a second or two. At times when gaining some altitude the hawk will jump upward into the air, or appear to be jumping up steps. One wing might be higher than the other. As the hawk, tilts to turn and dive, one wing might appear to have its wing tip squared. At other times one wing shape will vary from the other wing. Sometimes the hawk will glide with its wings bowed downward. And with the primary feathers separated. You might observe the tail trembling perched and in flight. You might observe the hawk trembling in flight. I think this is the result of the hawk being high - strung. I have read that this species will kill, just for the fun of it.  All of this information I have observed from field work. In other words, not from some video, or from observing some falconer’s bird. 

I will also go out on a limb, and say that you will probably never observe a COHA in the sky during non- migration time. This species does not have an affinity for the sky. Sky is an area which is above the “air”. Sky starts at about 150 feet of altitude. Therefore, you will not observe a COHA linger, or slow down , or speed up from a slow speed, I call it skoot. The hawk will not drift, to any degree. The hawk will not circle, over and over again. In other words, the hawk will not put on a show or a performance. This creature is all business- like. 

The structure of the COHA wing: As a student of hawk watching it is certainly best to observe the hawk with the sky as a background. Even if the hawk is a silhouette, it does not matter! You are now paying attention to wing movement, wing holding, and wing shape, and possibly wing length, or relative wing length. To me the leading and the trailing edge of the wing is slightly fuzzy. It is not clean- cut. Why this is, I don’t know. Possible the the edges of the wing are slightly rounded or tucked under. I have not examined any video of this hawk in flight. The wing tip is not sharply defined. There is no large arm- small hand appearance. The leading edge of the wing might appear straight- across, with no bump at the wrist. But, some NG might show this straight edge, with no bump. The COHA might glide with wings bowed downward. Might it be possible the  wing is also bowed from leading edge to trailing edge? If so this would account for the trailing edge and the leading edge to be somewhat less sharp - looking, clean - cut.

So, there you have it . My impression of a COHA. And why birders do not fully understand or appreciate COHA in flight. Also, this species can use various tricks in order to garner prey. I call this species “Sneaky”. If you know the COHA in flight, then you will automatically know that when you observe a Sharpie or NG, that that hawk is not a Cooper’s.

Ravens- at least 18

 At Skagit Regional Airport, many Ravens were massed tightly as they circled low over the crop- land. Then seven of them left the flock and flew low over the land. About two minutes later, eleven other Ravens shot upward to about five- thousand feet altitude. It was a fifteen minute look as the circled about. And then some of the seven came back through my position. I think Ravens enjoy the sky to the same degree as gulls. Love those Ravens. Sept.20. NB.

Seattle area Goshawk

 It does not surprise me that a NG was photographed near Seattle. On WA Tweeters birding list serve, someone wanted to know if the photographs of this accipiter were of a NG. The photos were placed on flicker. It appears to me the photos certainly lean toward NG. I will just point out a few indications. The accipiter is chunky and appears to have no waist. No waist will contribute toward looking chunky. Now the big question is, might this hawk be a Sharpie? So now we must question the observer. What was the size of the bird?! The take- away, describe the bird. Sept.20. NB.

The Thought

 Ruth Race- Baiter  has passed on. I wonder if she was a birder. How would she report upon a Black- chinned Hummingbird or a Black - Headed Grosbeak? Would she use the moniker— Anonymous Birder?NB.

A Tactic

 I will be spending more time at Skagit Regional Airport, which is nine miles away, to hawk for Goshawks. NG are not rare in this area. Generally, I mostly go there on Sunday. Usually there are one- hundred or more logging trucks in this area through Saturday, daily! The parking lot is at the intersection of Ovenell Road and Higgins Airport Way. I will walk the road to the highway, and concentrate on the sky, yet well aware of the logging trucks. Then, I will go to a more peaceful area, about two miles away on 536 WSU at Mount Vernon, Research and EXT. The time spent at the airport over many years has not amounted to many visits. Usually four visits per year and very seldom in summer. But, with enough sightings of NG, that I will ask myself again, Where are these NG coming from?NB.

Goshawks— one-off sightings

 Or one-er sightings. Definition: As we went a- traveling for 13 years, money-wise it was best to stop by the month or more or by the week. To get to where we were going and usually spend four months there, we often spent one night at an RV park. So here are my drive by sightings or sighting in areas where we spent only one week or less, which indicates to me how common are NG. All of these sightings are of NG in flight but not in migration. In other words, resident raptors.  I did not say resident nesters, of course.

Towson, MD, called the suburbs of Baltimore, about 20 miles away. A female NG, imm. The raptor may have just left its perch. It was away from my position and going farther away. The next  day the same location, same altitude, same time frame, same flight direction, was a imm.female NG. I alerted the authorities. They said they would begin a search for a nest.

Carthage, MO. Very near down town a female NG soaring. The next day, in suburbs, female NG soaring.

Thackersville, OK. The largest cock- fighting hatchery in the U.S. A NG ripping along the buildings at about 20 feet altitude.

Livingston, TX. Near the Louisiana border. My first NG in Texas. Georgetown, 40 miles from Austin, my last NG sighting in Texas. Galveston, two different NG, my first and only time time there. We drove around for an hour or so.

New Mexico— Albuquerque. We were there for a week. Two daily sighting of a female NG circling over the highway. Demming — NG circling over the town.

Colorado. Near Cortes at the Indian Ruins. A male NG ripping through. I contacted the authority and was told— We Don’t Care to Post Sightings of NG, for the fear of falconers finding the nest.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Utah. A mature NG cutting through, because of the altitude of the hawk and the speed and direction, I think this NG was in migration.

South Rim of Grand Canyon. Four sightings within seven days. Two  of those days, a sighting of doubles.

Junction City Kansas, away from town. One sighting.

Oregon— Albany. A imm. Male at close range. On another year, imm. Male at close range. 

California— in the hills just over the rv park, a NG came ripping through. I went to the club house   to find on a clip board the birds observed at the rv park. NG was not on the list. Below Coursegold is the small village of Hazelhurst. One female NG was soaring. Red Bluff— over the highway near the town. Bakersfield— we were there at least four times. At least twice for a week. Three or four yearly sightings. This location is just off the highway east of town on Edison Road. Orange Tree ( or Blossom ) RV Park.

Washington State. Over Seattle’s Highway. Tacoma— south of Tacoma. Two more areas— over the Yakima River. And outside of Torrington.

Near the Bill Williams NWR, Ariz. on the Colorado River. Thirteen sightings of NG most of them as the hawk was perched on wire at the golf course RV park. Thirteen sightings within thirty days.

Here is one area where I have struck- out. Needles. Been there at least 4 times. Two times or so for a week. The area is west of Needles.

The best suggestion I can give you is, get to an official hawk watch site in the fall. And stick with the subject. The best to all — . NB.

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I am thinking Sharpies

 Check out Whatbird.com or forums.whatbird.com — posted Sept.11 2020. Are all These Cooper’s? By Aaron. 7 photos. I say all of them are Sharpies. The “expert” who is affiliated with the web site says— The first is a Sharpie, the rest Coops. The main reason I say Sharpie is that the hawks are all chunky. Some off the photos may be of the same bird. I will present more of what I think is an inaccurate call on this whatbird.com website. NB.

My Question to you

 My question to you is the same question to yourself. The word was to keep the bedroom doors closed. Then the comment,” Why did you open the bedroom door to go into the bedroom”. You have answered your question.

If there is a perched raptor in your yard and then it takes flight and you come to me with your description of the hawk wanting to know the type of hawk, I will ask you— Did the hawk have a long tail. If you say, “ I don’t know”, then you have answered your own question. The answer is — No. Possibly 90% of raptors observed are not heading directly only/just away either head-on or tail on. You might say that your were observing the head or the wings or the chest and belly. It does not matter. If the tail was long you would have noticed it. But, to get into another phase of hawking, tail length is not going to give you the species. In fact, the bird does not have to show/have any tail in order to name the family or the species. So, as I have published, Tails do not Nail. To call a species of accipiter it is critical to know wing beats, wing shape and proportions and wing holdings. NB.

Definition of a Cooper’s Hawk

A Cooper’s Hawk in flight— is always looking for place to perch or a place to hide. Therefore, if there are tall, thick trees, the hawk will always be looking for a landing spot. This is similar to the strategy of a glider pilot. The glider pilot is always aware of the direction and the velocity of the wind. And is always aware of the terrain. Should the wind fail, where will I put down? In other words, the Cooper’s Hawk is always looking for a place to put down. The hawk does not have an affinity for the sky. NB. 

Goshawk Skagit Regional Airport

 Sunday Sept.6. One  NG far away rising over the tree tops and circling to about 150 feet altitude. I observe for about 2 minutes as the hawk went further away and possibly went to perch beyond the tree line. I did not raise the camera, naked eye. Three Red-tailed Hawks and a Turkey Vulture were also Previously there, all over the skies. At Breazeale Center, a Sharpie ripped through at about 100 feet altitude. Nearby, 2 Ravens were right tight on the tail of a Red-tailed Hawk, ripping in and out of a tree. Bright sun and 70 degrees. NB.

It is Goshawk time

Female NG observed from bedroom window. The hawk was circling at about 200 feet altitude. Observed for about 30 seconds. Location: Near Saint Mary’s Church, Anacortes.

The goshawks have returned. Now, it is very possible to observe doubles. Actually, the hawks have been nesting near-by, and have been in seclusion in the forest. Understand— I have never observed a goshawk nest. Very seldom do I enter a forest. NB. 

About accipiters

This is about a very interesting and informative article. “ The identification of North American Accipiters”. Seventy- man years of watching and trapping: How to, and how not to, identify accipiters— Helmut Mueller, Daniel Berger, and George Allez.

This you will not find in the article: Wing shape, wing holding, and wing movement. In other words, the article is about a dead specimen or an inactive bird.

The authors do write of wing speed compared to wing length and wing structure. I say— wing speed can depend on many factors, however wing speed is only a small part of wing action. This article will open the eyes of many birders. However, this article is not about hawk watching. NB.

Goshawks Houston and Tyler

In the fall or early winter of 2009, we arrived in Tyler,TX for the first and only time. We had some very nice weather. The rv park was outside of the suburbs. The rv park was west of town and was set back from the road with acres of pasture in the front and woods to the rear. There was one long blacktop leading into the park. Every day I would walk and hawk watch from the rv road. I’m sure this is good hunting area of wild hog and deer. I had some sighting of NG in flight. The NG were all in flight and not in migration. Sometime I would take my bike to the Tyler Airport, which was to the west. It was open country of pasture and wood lots. I did observe NG sightings— two or three. On a straight line toward the east was were the countryside gave way to houses and industry. At the laundry was a NG in the sky. Nearby was a Wall Mart, with a mature Bald Eagle at about 500 feet altitude. I had two more sightings in Tyler in areas of houses and buildings. The hawks were in the sky, far away.

Possibly the most unusual sighting and from the rv park was of a Russian MIG fighter plane at low altitude and with afterburners. I looked up the model number on the internet. Then I went to the airport, to the aviation museum. This is where the MIG is stored. The owner- pilot flys the plane at air shows.

We departed Tyler to go to Kehma, for our first and only time. The rv park was on a small lagoon and was near the Wall Mart and near the community of Clear Lake. Often I would hawk watch from Wall Mart and areas near the rv park. NG, resident hawks, were observed, all in flight and in the sky. Some of the hawks had some red on the chest. I could not tell of the under wings. We traveled the area for many miles. I have reported on this already, but, near the Houston Cruise Line Terminal was a female NG in flight. Also, at town of Bacliff was female NG soaring. At Seabrook was NG soaring. I have already reported sighting two different NG soaring at Galveston, within 2 hours. Our first and only trip there. The weather was so poor that we gave-up our time to be spent in Rockport and in Austin, to be our first time there. So we made a beeline for Benson, AZ. But we stopped in Georgetown, TX for one week. The weather was poor half the time. At Jon Berry Preserve was female NG in flight. This was a “Red NG.”

So here is my big question, to myself. Where are the NG from Coastal Bend Texas and East Texas coming from? Are they coming from northern Alabama, or Northern Mississippi, or even Northern Georgia? Are NG nesting in the Ozark Mountains. I think they could be. Notice that I leave out Louisiana. I don’t have a feel for Louisiana, only passed through the middle once and twice went through the lower part. Is it possible that NG are nesting in the swampy forest of the Cajun state? I believe it is certainly possible.

The thought: Foghorn String Band. NB.

E- bird rarities

An interesting essay by Gary Bletsch, a Skagit County, WA., advanced birder and world traveler. At watweeters—21 June 2020, e- bird, rarities, and other matters.

I was at the bottom of the steep roadway, when a Cooper’s Hawk was about 30 degrees off my zenith at about 100 feet altitude. The hawk was “large” and had “long” wings. The hawk was going up the hill. The wing beats were somewhat loose and sloppy. The wings were not sharply outlined. The primaries were not “clean- cut.” The hawk was lanky. The tail was long and thin. The chest and belly were thin. The hawk was female.

What I am hinting is that if you truly understood the shape and movement of the Cooper’s, the moment you observe an accipiter that is not a Cooper’s, you should say, “ That’s not a Cooper’s.” In other words, you do not have to understand the Goshawk, just know the Cooper’s Hawk. Nearly every action we take is a process of elimination.

The Thought: A good read— How Emotions Are Made— Lisa Feldman Barrett. NB.

Goshawks of Texas

We departed Junction City Kansas with our new trailer to enter east Texas for the first time. It was the day after Thanksgiving 1998. We went to Livingston, Polk County, for a week or two. I took the truck  to Wal Mart for oil change and went for a walk. There were cottages with tall evergreens set back on the area. Away from my position and going farther away was a Goshawk ripping low over the tree tops. This did not surprise me, as I was very aware of NG action, behavior, and habitat.

While driving into Texas I was amazed at the thickets and woods and areas of water— ponds, lagoons, and inlets. I thought: This is goshawk territory, mainly because I could tell— this is small game and reptile country. So that is it for this area of Texas.

In winter in 2002-03 we were in Rockport, Texas. Our first and only time there. In this area, I observed four NG. Two female and two male. The female were mature and immature. The male were mature and immature. I am calling the Red NG as mature. That is female with red on chest, belly, and under wing coverts. A good place for you as a hawk watcher (not a birder or birding) is all areas around Lagoons RV Park, the huge Baptist Church parking lot, and the baseball field nearby. Also, there is a park near the rv park. Also, traverse the high school area. And even get into the bleachers, to get some altitude and elevation. Also hawk the HEB parking lot and the magnificent copse of oak trees. Try the Wal Mart area and near by Connie Hager Park and cemetery. If possible get up on some overpass. I understand it is inconceivable, but all these locations have produced NG within the sky or even lower— less than 100 feet altitude. Just alongside Rockport is Fulton. One NG observed there.
At the thousand year old OAK was a female soaring. Do not leave out Goose Island Park. At Aransas NWR was a male NG ripping through back and forth over the top of a small, low thicket of brush. Also, on a birding cruise, far away, was a female NG which was near the wildlife preserve. Here is my suggestion: Do not hawk watch south of Rockport, only north of Rockport.

I never did observe a perched NG. I never did observe doubles or triples of NG. I did observe a female NG sliding into a copse at Connie Hager Park. Also, at the rv park in winds of  about 20 mph a NG was knocked down near where I was standing. It was in the brush somewhere. I started to crawl under the barb wire to try and find the hawk. But it was private property. Also, why should I investigate. What would I gain?

I did post more info on Rockport sightings and with a birding partner. I am being snippy— go chase.

This is a two-part report. Next will be: Goshawks of Houston and Tyler. Be safe and kind, but maybe not kind, considering what is happening to our nation and its sanity. Truthfully, l’m scared.NB.

A good idea

If you observe a raptor soaring, keep your eye on the bird. There is a chance that another raptor will go up into the sky. If of another species there might be a dust- up. Also, if the attacker came out of the trees, it could indicate that there is a nesting situation.

The thought: Study gun sales. Invest in guns.NB.

NJ Goshawk sightings

I received an informal sighting from west- central NJ of two NG sightings within two consecutive
months. One sighting was of a mature female NG. NB. Be safe out there. NB.

Top down strategy

Here is a strategy. I have not applied this strategy, therefore it is not a tactic. Top- down means hawking the country-side in a convertible car. It is best to always have a partner. It is not a good idea to travel through the forest road. What is the chance of a goshawk ripping through in front of your car? Here is the advantage of having a pal. You are driving, spot a raptor but there is no place to pull over. But, with a pal, you can just stop, or pull slightly over    then pal can jump out. You now will continue down the road, turn around and pick up pal. 

See you at the light. NB. Anacortes.

Goshawks Hunterdon County

As an erstwhile resident of Hunterdon County and the New Jersey Audubon Society, I am presenting this post, dealing with Goshawks in Hunterdon County. Since I never documented any of my information and I never carried a camera while birding, I can understand why many birders will have their doubts of the validity of this posting. Let me just say it was around 1994 that there was an invasion of Goshawks into Northern Hunterdon County. These raptors were observed in early Spring, they may have been observed in the summer, then were observed in fall and winter and into the next spring and summer. Therefore, I am thinking that the invasion was observed in 1995. But, that is not at all important, to me. That zero pictures were taken is not important to me.

The first Goshawk that I observed was in Upper Black Eddy, PA. The hawk was female and was circling in a heavy fog, overhead. The second observation was in bright sun. A female NG soaring. This was in Erwinna, Pa., which is five miles downriver from Upper Black Eddy. This time frame was in the season before the NJ invasion.

The start of observing the invasion: Pete Kwiatek and I were birding for warblers in early spring on Goritz Road. We were at the base of a thin, steep, gravel road. Pete said “Look.” Well over the tops of the tall trees was a raptor flapping and circling. This hawk had a lot of silver, grey and white on the ventral area. I instantly called— Goshawk! We jumped in the car and went up the hill to a big open area. But the sky was empty. We jumped into car and went to top of hill — near the route 579 intersection. It was then that there was so much activity in the sky and low overhead that we hardly understood what we were observing. We did observe at least one NG. As I recall, a Kestrel and other raptors ripping about.

I started pestering Dick Dunlap to be with me at this site. We were at the site when he glassed a raptor (NG) in flight and said “ You ain’t lying.”

On another experience— There was a raptor survey. I don’t recall, it may have been a two - day event. Dunlap was the leader of the study. A Warren County count. In the morning, a group of us were standing around, when Dick Dardis and I called two NG far way and going further away, heading toward Jug Town Mountain. Pete K. and I were observing a tilted pasture, when a mature female NG was flapping low over the field. Pete remarked of the length of the wings and the depth of the beats. I remarked that the hawk had a pink chin and throat. Dunlap and I were observing a copse, which Pete was entering. Over head and behind, as if following Pete was a NG. I was informed that there were five NG sightings on the survey. I was delighted to have participated on three of those sightings. So how many NG were observed? I do not know, but at least two NG were observed.

Dick Dardis, biologist David Womer and I were birding in the hills of Bloomsbury. A NG was far away traversing two hills. David said “ I would like to get another look at that bird.” The hawk did present again, same altitude, same elapsed time frame.

I was hawking in the village of Little York, on the hillside. A new development was going in. The black top road was in. The Belgium block curbing was in. A NG was in flight, being attacked by a RTHA, then another NG came into the battle, then another RTHA entered the fight. Then a third NG arrived to do battle, followed be a third RTHA.

I lived on Hickory Corner Road. I was getting into car, while two male NG were ripping over the trees on the next ridge line, Rick Road. They were heading south as was I. I pulled in at the gas station and jumped out the car and started scanning the corn fields along the Delaware River. Well south of my position and ripping further away were two NG. This area was not far from Frenchtown. If they were the same two NG that  I observed, it was a good two miles from my initial sighting. While hawking from my property or walking my country road NG could be observed in flight.

Here is an interesting sighting. It did not involve raptors. It was near the Warren Glen Paper Company. There was a small black top pull off that angled into a cornfield. There was a car backed into the corn. In front of the car was tripod with scope. Two men were on the scope. They were looking upward. Skyward? This is unusual. Seldom will you ever observe a scope pointed upward except at a official hawk watch site.

Here is an all-time remarkable sighting. It is in the Warren- Hunterdon area. A mature female NG was at about 100 feet altitude and carrying prey. If the prey was large, then the prey was heavier than the hawk. The hawk was flapping constantly with deep wing beats. The wing beats may have been slightly labored. The prey was carried as an Osprey carries a fish. The prey was an opossum.

The last NG I observed was in June, 1996,

shortly before we departed NJ. The hawk was coming off Beaver  Brook Country Club, at about 100 feet altitude. I did not have enough experiences to realize this was a very rare sighting, relating to the season. But, here is an interesting story. I had meet this experienced birder, when he asked me if I had observed this goshawk that hung around route 31 and route 78. I assumed he meant perched. I traveled that area for many years often seven days a week. I never noticed anything unusual. That last sighting was near this highway area.

Just another paragraph or so. Pete Kwiatek was with me on two occasions as we observed NG. Dick Dunlap was with me on two occasions as we observed NG. Dick Dardis was with me on two occasions as we observed NG.

I heard this interesting statement, just once. As I was observing NG in northern Hunterdon County, “Don Frieday was looking at- for goshawks in the Sourland Mountains.”

Dear birders: In 1996, you were not ready for my advances. Now it is 24 years later and still you are not ready for my advances.


This web sight is certainly not about birding, therefore, possibly not one birder in one thousand will take a strong interest in what I am presenting. To observe a perched NG is a rare event. To observe a NG in migration could be a rare event. The best chance to observe a NG is when the raptor is on its home base. They will often take to the sky at an average altitude of 150 feet. The idea is to get into the flight pattern of the hawk. Therefore, you have a chance to also observe the hawk’s mate or progeny. I suggest that you give up your penchant for birding and spend ninety percent of your time observing the sky and ten percent birding. At least four hours daily would be a good start, of course, weather permitting. It certainly helps if you are retired.
.
I have never returned to NJ. Probably never will. I certainly miss it. It would bother me greatly to return to areas that are no longer as natural as they were. There were some areas, some very small, that were possibly the most beautiful in the U.S. Be kind and be happy. NB. Anacortes,WA.

The Thought: This is not a statement to besmirch: If your name is Clarke, I could give you the moniker “ Clarke in the Dark.”

More tactics

Here might be the best location to observe NG in Williamsport, Pa., in the suburbs in Faxon. Location: Short Park, Northway Road. This thin recreational park is in the gap of the Grampian Hills. It is a narrow gap with a small stream tucked into the base of hill.

Goshawks and Cooper’s and other raptors like to shoot the gap, from ridge line to ridge line or hill top to hill top. The tactic is for you to get into the gap and then the hawk will traverse across your line of fire. It is best in the beginning, to post up on one end of the gap. Because if you are in the middle of the gap the hawk can easily slip behind your position. It only take a few flaps and some glides to traverse this gap, possibly ten seconds. I suggest you post near the swimming pool and concentrate looking northward. About ten-percent of the time scan toward your rear, toward the dike. The raptor might set a flight pattern, couple that with the time frame and you might get close enough to get a good photograph and a better look at field marks.

A good time to observe might be one- half hour after sun-up. Or from 11-1. Or as the temps warm, 10- 3.

I am getting ahead of myself. But, here is another area (gap) to shoot. It is a wide gap. It is in San Diego. The gap between the hillsides west of the Clairemont Hills and the Clairemont Hills. It is a long gap. You can post on either end. In the bottom of the gap is The 5.

While I was observing Goshawks in S.D., I contacted a falconer I recently met in Kansas. I told of my sightings. His reply “What!? Is there winter conditions down there in San Diego?”

The thought: What would Seagull Steve Think?

Some tactics

Here are some tactics for finding and observing Goshawks and other raptors. The idea is to use abrupt weather changes. The weather can change from good to bad and also from bad to good. Usually bad weather takes time to build up and to travel. But, when weather changes from poor to excellent the time element can be very rapid. This is only logical. Pay attention to the weather report. Often the weather person is very accurate on predicting when the storm will clear out.

If you think that a raptor might be nesting or roosting, let us think on a hillside or in thick trees, even if in the city limits, you should post up to observe the entire site in one fell swoop. Give yourself a fudge factor of 15 minutes. In other words, if the weatherman said the storm will clear at noon, you should get to your post 15 minutes early.

So, here might be the story. There was a rain storm that was now two days or two and a half   days old. If a raptor is nesting or roosting in any particular area; The raptor will want to depart the trees and stretch its wings. Also the hawk is probably famished. So the hawk wants to scout for prey.

This information pertains to Williamsport, Pa. In June 1996 to November 1998, I was a resident. I lived in a large apartment building, half way up a steep hill. While sitting on my small balcony observing an electric storm coming toward me from the south, coming toward the Bald Eagle Mountains, were two raptors, flying wing tip to wing tip. They were large and appeared to be black. They were steady pumping, with no gliding. As they came close and to the side and behind the building I realized they were two female goshawks. They were making their way into or past the Grampian Hills. They were beating a path to get away from the storm.

In winter, I was walking the path near the dike in the Faxon area. It was just starting to snow.  There was a mature male NG at about 100 feet altitude, pumping away, no gliding for this hawk. The hawk was heading toward a comfort zone. It was heading for the Grampian Hills.

The takeaway— keep your eyes on the sky to observe if a raptor is beating a path ( home?) in order to escape poor weather conditions. NB.

Goshawks Lycoming County

The Goshawks of Lycoming County Pennsylvania: The first Goshawk (NG) I observed was in Upper Black Eddy, PA. It was in winter, probably 1993. I was standing on the canal. It was very damp and very foggy. The female NG was circling overhead in tight circles, with the wings flat and straight out to the sides. My impression was— Where is the ferocity of this bird? Where is the aggressiveness of this hawk? Therefore, you can understand that I had misinterpreted what I had read in the field guides. The second sighting (of a female NG) was  in a later season with warmer conditions and bright sun. The location: Tinicum Park, Erwinna, PA. A 126 acre park— Playgrounds, picnicking, hiking, ball fields, boating, fishing, ice fishing. I mention these amenities because NG will take an interest in these areas, but will not often drop down into these areas. The NG was soaring and flapping at about 175 feet altitude. This park is five miles down river from Upper Black Eddy.

In July 1996, we moved to Williamsport, Pa., (WMPT). We lived on a steep hillside.There were 10 large buildings. I am an erstwhile resident of WMPT and the Lycoming Audubon Society. 

From the git-go, I started observing NG in the area. The first was as driving through the small next- town over, Montoursville. The NG was low over the buildings and ripping away. Then, two NG at Rose Valley, far away and going away at about 200 feet altitude. 

At State College, downtown was a perched immature female. Soaring over Bald Eagle State Park was a NG.

Why am I trying to reach the birders of North Central Pa., now? Why not ten years ago? That would be 2010. Because it does not matter. For one thing, I never carried a camera.I certainly informed the proper people. At at least 2 Audubon meetings I informed of my NG sightings. I gave sensitive information to Mike Kuriga, master falconer and Audubon member. Also, sent sensitive info to biologist member of Audubon and to Director of PA Fish and Game. Mike Kuriga did tell me there are five or six nesting sites of NG near WMPT. This web site is not for many birders, only a select few. Birders are not hawk watchers, many of them will never become hawk watchers. It is too much of another discipline, too much of a leap of faith. Therefore, if this notice were presented in 2025, it still would not matter. It would have the same effect as if presented in 2050.

So here are more of my sightings and information and at the end will be one of my strategies for finding and observing NG, by using abrupt weather changes: Over Wall Mart — Montoursville.
Seldom did I go to South WMPT. One NG in the sky at the Game Range, 252. It was probably September 1997 with my new truck. I pulled in biologist Ed Reish driveway in Farregut. I was scanning the corn fields across the street. Two NG were ripping around low over the corn stalks. Sometimes, I would bird with Dick Plotz, a resident of the complex. More than once, I called a NG. One NG was perched close to my apt. door. Dick and I took a ride to north NJ. We hiked up Raccoon Ridge to be with the NJ Audubon Society hawk watch. There was a NG up high and ripping away, probably in migration. Pete Bacinski made the call. While driving to Montour Preserve a NG cut in front of my car. When I arrived at the preserve a NG was dropping down into the preserve. Near the preserve on another day, in Watsontown, a NG in the sky. I went to the office of the preserve to talk to biologist Jon Beam. On another day, I went to talk with him. Jon told me; He was driving to lunch (or diner) when he observed a raptor in a field. He glassed the hawk. It was a Goshawk.

On a field trip with Lycoming Audubon, with field trip leader Doug Gross, biologist; The area was west of Rickett’s Glen in the hillsides. As I was trying to find my way up into the mountainside to the parking area, a male NG was circling at about 150 feet altitude. Doug told me NG were nesting in Rickett’s Glen. We were standing around in a group, when we noticed what was probably a Merlin perched, about 300 yards away. I left the group to discover that the hawk was a Merlin. As I started back toward the group, a male NG was ripping through over the group. I did ask if anyone had observed the hawk that cut through. I did already know the answer, as no one was pointing upward or looking upward. We were walking in an open field, with a small, low copse. A male NG flew out, close to my position. When the group came together, I asked Doug if he observed the NG come out of the  brush. He did not. On his side of the brush he observed a Cooper’s Hawk fly out. So, I did not see his hawk and he did not observe my hawk.

In the suburbs of WMPT, Doug’s father and I were birding. We observed a NG in flight.


In the Lycoming Society Newsletter was a notice that I was to be in a recreational field near the airport and would be hawking and talk about my NG sightings. A official female member did stop by briefly. Ron Beach, another ranking member did stop by. Then a man from Antes Fort stopped by. We were standing there possibly 20 minutes when he was leaving the area and just about to get into his car, about 200 yards away, when I started yelling and pointing upward. There was a male NG well overhead.

Here is an interesting sighting. At Short Park was a mature NG hunting from the guard rail, at the intersection. So then I did something that made no sense. But, It was a normal instinct. I went back to my apartment, up the steep hill, up the stairs to my floor. I retrieved my scope and tripod, went back to park. I set the tripod. The hawk was still there! Sitting on the stop sign. The only take away was that the hawk had massive, powerful- looking legs. So, it is possible, that if I would have not departed the area, there may have been other NG coming into this area. So, what if the scoping showed that the hawk was leg banded. To me this is of little interest. I certainly was not close enough, on purpose, to read any numbers which would be on the band. Again, obtaining the scope had zero meaning. Then again, why not retrieve my camera? The hawk was not banded. The last NG I observed was west of town at the UPS facility. A female NG was circling over the hillside. It was probably September 1998, as I was preparing to leave Pa. and go on the road (for13 years). I never did return to North Central Pa. I certainly miss Pennsylvania.

I am very concerned, if I should write this, but— you people in Williamsport, do not know what you are missing.

My next posting will be of using abrupt weather changes in order to find and observe Goshawks. Be well and be happy. NB.

New trend

There is a trend. And I am excited about it. This web site says— (NG) Northern Goshawks are moving into cities and suburbs and have been doing so for many years. I also suggest— A NG will not often perch in an area   near where you are sitting or standing. A NG will often depart its perch as you approach. If the hawk departs its  perch and and comes over your zenith, well, that is to your advantage. But, what if the hawk departs away from your position, well, now in many cases you are put into an uncomfortable situation. Because you are not a hawk watcher. Why is this? Because birders are close lookers. They love and only know the close-looking greenery. Also, birders spend a lot of time in birding hot spots. Which limits your time spent toward other birding areas.

Now for the trend. Because of the virus— I call it the Corvid virus—birders are spending more time, just relaxing with their walks in the yard or the neighborhood. Also, birders do not, should not spend time looking into their neighbor’s shrubs and areas near the house. So, birders, even while in their houses are realizing that out there there is plenty of sky. While walking or biking or driving there is also, mainly, plenty of sky.

More to the point. I have over the last four years always been aware of the listing from ABA bird listings of only PA, NJ and Tweeters, WA. I am interested in only raptors. This I have noticed just recently, Swainson’s Hawks, plural, and Broad-winged Hawks, plural, are being observed flying northward in WA. Over the list serve you can feel that birders are taking an interest in the sky! And are interested in observing these two species. If birders would spend more time in the sky, they will observe the Goshawk. But, will they be able to nail the species? So, now is the time, up into around The first of June. Nelson Briefer - Anacortes, WA. www.goshawktalker.blogspot.com.

Interesting subject

Interesting subject from an educated man. Washington Tweeters— subject- hummingbird Id. Date- Mon., April 6. From: diwill AT uw.ed. NB.

The thought: Eat a rat, eat a bat, finish it off with a cat. In all honesty, eat what you wish. I believe the problem is with the handling of the product, but in some cases, there may be a problem even if the meat is handled properly and cooked properly. Just sayin’.

Another profound statement

I am going to get into trouble with some people, some people are going to get after me. Don Freiday has posted: If you think you have observed Goshawk, well, you probably have not. I take the other side - if you think you observed a Goshawk then you probably have observed a Goshawk. Here is why.

Northern Goshawks are moving into cities and suburbs and have been doing so for many years. Goshawks started moving into cities and suburbs shortly after Cooper’s Hawks started moving into cities and suburbs. Goshawks love the wind, sun, clouds, and thermals. Understand that raptors cannot hide in the sky, only during migration. Resident raptors will seldom go into clouds. You have observed Goshawks, your neighbors have observed Goshawks, your friends have observed Goshawks. To take it one step further— They have observed Goshawks, their friends have observed Goshawks, their neighbors have observed Goshawks. I am referring to the two birders at the Ina Road dam in Tucson.

If you say you think you observed a Goshawk — then you probably did observe a Goshawk. And now the experts, the members of the record committees, the Audubon field trip leaders are going to be put into a situation where they are going be spending extra time in the field trying to refind your bird. And spend time explaining to you that that individual  on the internet is spreading misinformation and is planting a seed. He is using psychology to make you think and if you think enough and long enough then what you wish for will become realized. He is a hoaxer.

If you think you observed a Goshawk because it was too large for a Cooper’s Hawk, then that is a good qualifier. If you start to elaborate on the tail, the length, the banding, the terminal band, the color of the band , thickness of the band— then you are going off the deep end. You should only be discussing concrete information. You must use the proper words to describe your observation. If you do not present the proper words to the people in charge, then your information will be put on the back burner or possibly discarded.

Here is what I call concrete information. An explanation of this website. This website is not about the color, pattern or “field marks” of raptors. In other words, I am not interested in the skin, outercoating, feathers, patina, covering of a raptor. I am interested in what I call the “meat” of the bird. The action and behavior of the hawk. On other words, hawks in flight. This site deals with resident raptors; Where they breed and where they migrate, even if they migrate only ten miles. Here is concrete information. An accipiter in flight, it must be active flight or in a glide— draw an imaginary line across the wrists of the accipiter. If the head protrudes outside of this line, the hawk is not a Goshawk or a Sharp- shinned hawk. However, and this could be called advanced hawking, a Goshawk can “ mimic” a Cooper’s hawk wing beats. If the streaking is thick and extensive with a few spots of white peeking through it is a Goshawk. Some people call it a checker board pattern. Wing beats of NG are usually very deep, very rapid, and very flexible. Or somewhat loose and relaxed and reaching forward. Is this what some authors call “rowing motion?” Wing holding - will be stiff and flat, no dihedral. But, this might depend on the wind speed, and if the hawk is soaring upward, hence a slight dihedral.

Now for the profound statement. Hawks in Flight— Pete Dunne, David Sibley, and Clay Sutton. Copywrite 1988. Page 70. Go chase!

Can you identify the Red-tailed hawk ( RTHA), I mean in flight. There are some people who have little faith in identifying RTHA at let us say, one mile away. Can you identify the RTHA at two miles away with 8x binoculars? Why not, it is the same raptor at two miles as at one mile. In other words, it is the same shape and proportions and wing beats and wing holding at two miles and at one mile. Now on Puget Sound there should not be a problem, but in the East you could run into the Broad-winged Hawk and the Red-shouldered Hawk. Also, in both cases a dark eagle has to be contemplated. It is possible that in your report you cannot express the proper words to attach to your sighting, but that does not mean that you are wrong in your simple statement “ I don’t think the hawk was a Cooper’s, I think it was a goshawk.”

Back to the profound statement: It is called Rule of Thumb. Note- I call it Rule Number One. Rule of Thumb is simple, profound, and elegant. And if you voice the Rule it is eloquent. The Rule does your  “dirty work” for you. In order to use the Rule, you must understand the RTHA.

There is one more factor — my profound statement. That accipiter in the sky during non-migration is probably not a Cooper’s Hawk. Cooper’s Hawks do not have an affinity for the sky during non-migration. Be happy, be healthy.

A profound statement

When you tell your neighbor, or your friend, “ That is an accipiter” , well then you have a leg- up on your neighbor. Your neighbor might be impressed with your knowledge. And then you say “ Accipiters can be difficult to identify”.

Now I am thinking— yes accipiters can be difficult to identify— as you have just signified, when you called “ accipiter”, but, you did not call the species— nail the species. You have observed Goshawks, your friends have observed Goshawks, your neighbors have observed Goshawks. Yet, here is the rub. You are not misidentifying raptors (Goshawks), you are just not reporting on them! This is a reflection of your comfort zone! Also, is it possible that you came out of your comfort zone, briefly? Why did you go back into your comfort zone? Was it because of that profound statement (probably by Pete Dunne). Hawks in Flight— Pete Dunne, David Sibley, and Clay Sutton. Copywrite 1988. Page 55. NB.

Your comfort zone - part 2

The Spiel: My friend and neighbor, John, and I were at the Ina Road Dam in Tucson. We were on the other side of the road of the dam. The small stream on this side is narrow and is nearly visible, as I recall, and is quite hidden by the desert scrub. Away from our position and going farther away were two goshawks. We went to the other side of the dam. There the water was wider and slower than the other side. There was also a sandy- muddy bank, where duck can rest and warm up.

We were standing on a concrete platform with a metal railing when two birders joined us. They appeared to be birding buddies and appeared to be serious guys, probably advanced birders. “What did you see”. Two goshawks. “Where”. “On the other side of the road”. One of the faces had a slight pull. About five minutes later— a female goshawk presented from the right front at about 100 feet altitude and was now broadside at about 200 yards. “ There is the goshawk”. And then came the Spiel.

Sharp- shinned hawks are not common to this area. Cooper’s hawks are more common than Sharp-shinned hawks. And goshawks are rare to this area. “ Do you mean to say that that large raptor with those long wings and that deep wing beat is not a goshawk?” IT is Not a Goshawk. Then some other harsh words were exchanged. Then the two birders started to leave. With all honestly I said “I am sorry I chased you away”.

From this, I think you can understand a profound, possibly a very profound statement, probably from Pete Dunne. Hawks in Flight— Pete Dunne, David Sibley and Clay Sutton. 1988 copywrite. Page 55. NB.

Your comfort zone

The OK Threshold is the technical word for “comfort zone”. The title for this essay, which may be of two postings, could also be called, “You are stuck”. Usually when I use the “stuck”  word it is not meant as a demeaning word. The more you read, and what you have already read, the more you will come upon the word— stuck. Everyone becomes stuck. Examples— lawyers, dentists, police officers, fireman, military generals, military advisers, professional football coaches, and birders. Or is it just me— am I stuck on the word stuck?

A birder becomes stuck when using the old method, the passive method, the Peterson method, when it comes to raptor identification. If you wish to learn raptor identification you will take a course, from a biologist or a naturalist. This is called “ book learning”. Then you will go into the field for about 14 hours any try and find and zero in on some perched raptors, and pray the the hawk does not fly away. Or if it flys away it will fly near your zenith as it departs the area. This is not hawk watching. Well, it is hawk watching, but only 10 per cent of what hawk watching is all about.

If you wish to learn hawk watching you should get to an official hawk watch site, during the last two weeks in September and the first two weeks in October. Plan on spending at least 3 hours each week. After that experience you may be so interested that you can hardly wait for the next migration season.

The modern method of hawking is using the holistic approach. Which means it is a fast and accurate way to identify all of the raptors of the East and of Puget Sound by wing beats, wing holding, wing structure, and with accipiters, one other easy to apply “field mark”. Also the general color of a raptor can be of help to the novice hawk watcher.

This essay is also about why birders and advanced birders are not reporting goshawks. Which boils down to you are stuck. That is your comfort zone. To come out of your comfort zone will take time, effort, energy, and may take years. One reason for staying in your comfort zone is that you know the end result of the effort and time it will take to understand a new discipline. I say— most birders are not hawk watchers and never will become hawk watchers. It is too much of another discipline, too much of a leap of faith.

About you— you know the end result because of what you have read, or misread, or was not published in a completely accurate way. Also because of what you have heard— The Spiel. If you would dig a little deeper than what the field guide presents— you will read— accipiter identification is not difficult. Separating a Cooper’s Hawk from a Sharp- shinned Hawk is not difficult. And this I just read— it is easier to identify accipiters in flight than when they are perched. And I agree with that concept. And it is also a faster approach toward identification. This is part 1. NB.

The Thought:When you go to a Chinese Restaurant you should ask— Are the bats wild or are they farm-raised. Seriously. 

Goshawk in active flight

One goshawk in straight- away flight at 150- 200 feet altitude. Near Mount Erie School - Anacortes. March 25- 2020.

Support your local Chinese Restaurant- Drop off a cat.

Orange butterfly in February

Orange butterfly at my house in Anacortes,Wa. The butterfly was in flight—February 18. Wind was at about 2 miles per hour, temperature was around 43 degrees, sun was bright and strong. 10 a.m.

The thought: Medical doctor, Mr. Pillsbury on the news.” Viruses don’t have borders”. 
Either do we.

I don’t think Peter Butt- gig will do well in the debates. NB.

Hummer myth or misunderstanding

Just recently, I read of a scientific breakdown of Anna’s hummingbird creating a sharp, loud chirp. This was just after I heard the sound, from inside the house, of the chirp. The scientist     did an extensive study of the hummer in a wind tunnel and with high speed photography. His conclusion was that the bird produced the sound with the tail feathers, as the bird was flying at 50 miles per hour. Here is the rub. While outside and near, about 15 feet from a hummer, the bird chirped and very loudly. The bird was perched! A bird perched is not moving at 50 miles per hour! I am not qualified to determine how the bird produced the loud sound. 

The take away; You can ask a biologist or a ornithologist a question, and you will receive an answer, sometimes promptly, but don’t you dare suggest that the scientist is wrong in his discipline. NB.

Fooled

I was hawking in North Central PA. Two raptors were heading toward me. They had long wings, with zero dihedral, and were flying wing tip to wing tip. The hawks were grey; No doubt female goshawks. But no! They were Red- tailed hawks.

In Yuma in winter, on high, was a gull or a white falcon, maybe a Gyr  falcon. About a day later, I realized the bird might have been a White- tailed hawk. NB.

What bird

There is a bird or raptor in the sky, quite deep, at altitude of about 200 feet. The bird might be tail on or head on. The wings have zero dihedral and are flat and stiff. The wings appear to be long. So I am thinking, here on Puget Sound, that the bird is a hawk, and probably a goshawk and probably female. But, the bird could be also a Peregrine Falcon or a Raven. The color appears to be dark. I want the bird to turn so to get a look at the tail length. If the tail is long, then it is not a Raven. When the hawk flaps, I might get a look at the wing beats and the structure of the wing. So now, within seconds, I might be able to nail the species.

I say that the hawk is probably a female NG because often the female will take to the sky. The male will not often take to the sky; usually to be with the female. This is my unscientific thinking: There are many more female NG than male NG. Of course, if male NG are at low altitude or hanging in the tree tops, I will miss those sightings. I am sure there are many more female Cooper’s hawks then there are male Cooper’s. And many more female Sharp- shinned hawks than the male Sharpie. Also, there are many more female Harriers than male Harriers. These are my conjectures because— I age and sex accipiters and Harriers and Ospreys.

Often the the female NG will take to the sky with a companion and the partner will be another female NG. When the nesting- mating season starts, then the female will hook-up with a male.NB.

Tail-less

In October, 2019, I observed six crows in flight. Observed through the sliding glass doors. One of the crows had no tail. This crow was flying in a normal manner.

In Tucson, I was hawking from the South Kolb Road overpass. There was an accipiter cutting across the desert scrub, heading somewhat toward me, but more to the broadside at about 100 feet altitude, heading into the Voyager RV Resort, which contains hundreds of palm trees, many of them very tall. This goshawk had no tail. Yet, it was flying normally.

The take away; you do not need color, pattern, or field marks (or a tail), to identify accipiters. The same can be said toward many other raptors. You can use size, shape, proportions, and wing movements to identify many raptors. NB.

The thought: I have watched very little football, over the many years. I was of the opinion that Russell Wilson was such a lucky player. Now, I realize he is a great player and quarterback. Russell Will! NB.

Accipiter wings

Accipiter wings are best observed when there is zero texture of greenery, barren mountain side, or the many colors of trees in the fall, in the background. Therefore, the background should be the sky. And the hawk should be, for starters, at somewhat close range. It is best at near overhead, or forty degrees off zenith.

The Cooper’s wings (the outline of the wings) are not as clean- cut as the Sharp-shinned hawk (SSHA), which also means the NG, as the NG is the same shape as the SSHA. The COHA wings appear to be somewhat blurry; That is the trailing edge and the leading edge. Also the tip of the wing is not as well defined as on the NG.

Why this is— I do not know. Here might be the answer. Often the COHA will glide with its wings bowed downward and the primary feathers are spread. Possibly the wing is also bowed along its length. Or the leading and the trailing edge is slightly turned under.

Wing beats: COHA are stiff ; the entire wing moves as a unit. The wings move straight up and down as one unit. The wing beats are not that deep. Also, each wing can act independently of the other wing, which might give the impression that the hawk does, or does not, have control of its wings!

NG wing beats can be very rapid. And deep, and flexible. I say; the wing beats can be as rapid as the SSHA. Since the wings of the male and especially the female are much larger than the SSHA, it appears that the wing beats are not as rapid as the SSHA. NG wing beats can be loose and relaxed, somewhat as a crow or a Red- tailed hawk. NG wing beats can mimic the COHA! In photographs, NG can show wing tips splayed outward with separation of the primary feathers, on the up stroke. N B.

More on lanky

All three female accipiters can have somewhat long wings. When the wings are extended fully outward and flat the wings can appear lanky. The leading edge and the trailing edge are are quite straight and meet at the tip. The tip is now rounded, or sharply rounded, or oval shaped. Therefore, lanky- looking. This is not what is meant by the Cooper’s hawk looking lanky. All three accipiters (females) can now be called lanky, because of the long tail and the nearly- long or long- looking wing.

We can also say that the stubbier the wing (The male), the more the hawk will appear lanky. Now we are concerned with the entire length of the hawk. The accipiter with the longest tail on average, is the Cooper’s hawk. The accipiter with the longest wing is the Sharp- shinned hawk (female). Some books will say the NG (female). I say the NG is basically a Sharp- shinned hawk. They are made from the same mold— Nature’s mold. There is only one main difference— Size. I am not the only one who thinks in this direction. Another difference is that some Sharp- shinned hawks (SSHA) do have a waist.

So, here is the gist of being lanky. Authorities say the body of the Cooper’s hawk (COHA) is tubular and the tail is long. I say— add in the waist to the evaluation. And that is what is meant by the COHA  as being lanky.

Also, the chest of the NG is robust, and of course, the SSHA. So we can compare robust to tubular. But, watch out! In winter, the COHA can take- on a robust chest.

I am going to add this to the equation. When you think of SSHA or COHA, you should never leave out Northern Goshawk! NB.

What is lanky

Often the word lanky is used to describe a Cooper’s hawk ( COHA). But the word is never described.

You know what is a lanky person, or a stocky person, or a pudgy person. If you were in a classroom and the professor were to define what is lanky by using geometry; Then you might become irritated, because you know lankiness. I believe you will appreciate the way I define the condition of lanky relating to the COHA. We will go right to the heart of lanky. The main contributing factor of lanky is that a COHA has a waist! Some, many?, Sharp- shinned hawks will have a waist (SSHA). Northern goshawks do not have a waist.

The body of the COHA will taper abruptly into the base of the tail. Therefore, the base of the tail will be thinner than the body of the hawk. The tail should be completely folded. There is another form of waist. The body of the hawk will taper gently, then will level out toward the tail, then the base of the folded tail. This makes for a long waist! Of course it is best to observe the waist when the hawk is near your overhead, or perched, and you are observing from straight-on, face-on, meaning from the rear ideally.

Observe; Peterson Field Guides— HAWKS ; William S. Clark/ Brian K. Wheeler. Copy-write 1987. Plate 6 Adult accipiters. What is wrong with this artwork? The COHA has zero waist!

I am standing on my neighbor’s front porch. A raptor is coming toward me at an angle. The hawk is an accipiter. The hawks is very close. It is a COHA, because of the wing beats. The hawk is about twenty feet away and is about twenty feet in the air, so it is near the overhead. I immediately went to the waist of the hawk. To verify that the hawk was not a NG.

So , I suggest go for the wing beats, then go right to the waist. Do not try and pick out field marks. I also realized the outline of the wings; the leading edge and the trailing edge, which was not well defined. But, I am getting ahead of myself. There are also other factors that contribute toward the bird appearing lanky, but not for now. NB.