Goshawk— Burke County, Georgia

 Dec. 23 2021 — Whatbird.com. Title— One more raptor.

By HamRHead from Burke County,Georgia.

Nelson says—This bird-accipiter is not a Cooper’s Hawk. The robust, bulky accipiter appears to be NG. The belly and chest is clear or clean— therefore, not a SSHA, also not a COHA. Go by the bird—not the range map not the bar graph. NB. I will contact the Georgia Records Committee and the Georgia falconers. This will give you an idea of how committed I am to draw an understanding toward the idea that Goshawks are a common species in many areas of the United States. NB. Anacortes,Wa.

Goshawks are Back

 As I have observed over many years on Fidalgo Island and North Whidbey Island, and this information probably pertains to all areas in Western Wa. The resident breeding NG will make their appearance starting around Sept.1. The immature and adults will take the sky, at around an average altitude of 150 feet. They will go back into seclusion around June 1. Therefore, the NG are not back. They just went into seclusion during the nesting season.

I know nothing about which NG migrate out. But, certainly, most of NG from any one nest, do not return the original nesting area. As I have stated, I have never observed an NG nest and I an not really interested in observing or bothering nesting birds or raptors. I am not really interested in perched raptors. I am not a close- looker. NB.

Female Goshawk- Whidbey Island

 NG female- A drive under at Monkey Hill Road and Route 20. The hawk was at about 150 feet altitude. The wings flapped a few times, leisurely. The wings were bulky, with large arm, small hand. The head was within the valley of the wrists. On North Whidbey Island. The next blog— Goshawks are Back. Stay cautious out there and try to understand the information. I’m looking into— Is there such a thing as developing immunity. With the leaning on— Developing.NB.

Eastern Ohio Hawk

 From Whatbird on Aug.7 2021

This hawk is not lanky. Therefore, it probably is not a Cooper’s. It is probably a S.S. hawk, or a NG. NB. Going back to strong precautions to protect from the FLU. NB.

Dust-up over a photo

 Second title— Photos as related to bar charts.

On Whatbird— Title: Hawk; Lake George CO, Sept. Posted on June 19, 2021. The author: Kansa bird guy.

The photo was taken in Lake George in Sept. 2020.

Kansa bird guy is begging for the photo to be analyzed. I say, in other words, go by the bird, not by the book. Or in this case the photo, not the bar chart.

This subject is very emotional topic within my area of contemplation and mesmerizing. To me the wing structure does not nail the species or eliminate Red-tailed Hawk. However, I am leaning strongly toward Rough- legged Hawk. Because of the field marks of the wing. Be kind— Be water. I suggest the art- work on page 44. Hawks in Flight. Especially example (a) immature. Copyright 1988. NB

Goshawk- Anacortes: Wed. 5 12 2021 PM.

 While sitting in car at Safeway Parking lot, a goshawk was heading toward me at about 150 feet    altitude. The hawk was bothered by  three small birds. The hawk wing beats were rapid

 and flexible. The hawk drifted toward Cap Sante Bluff and the woods, as it circled. NB.

The Thought:  Many more Asians are going into practicing Medicine. So that they can treat Black  People.  NB.

Raptor ID- Maybe a goshawk?

 Whatbird.com— Posted on May 08, 2021.

This bird- hawk is not a NG. The bird appears to have a broad tail— but not accipiter- long. This hawk is also not a S. S. Hawk. Because the wing configuration is not of a large arm- small hand. This photo is of a bird with a small arm- large hand configuration.

The Thought: We took a ride through Anacortes, after 3 pm. It was somewhat strange— more like a Sunday. Very few people about, but every one except one, were not wearing masks. Still, I would not take many chances. The best, NB.

Separating the Accipiters

 One of the better ways to identify accipiters is from photographs. In this exercise the hawk should be near your overhead. To add some “spice” to the exercise— it does not matter if the sky is dark or if the hawk appears to be black. This exercise does not involve color nor pattern.

Cooper’s Hawk (COHA) are generally Lanky. What is the value of generally? I don’t know the answer. I would not be surprised if the value of generally is ninety per cent or more. So, this essay is of the word Lanky, and also the word Blocky or Bulky. NG are bulky, Sharp-shinned Hawks (SSHA) can be blocky. SSHA can also be lanky.

Lanky does not take into account the length nor the proportions of the wing. The goal is to observe the body. Is the body long and thin? Is the tail long and thin? We will not compare the body length to the tail length. The one thing we should determine is if the tail is accipiter- long. We will compare the tail width to the body width. As the body of the COHA tapers toward the base of the tail, we can say that the “body” tapers toward the tail. This appearance makes the hawk appear lanky. In other words , the base of the tail width is narrow. If the base of the tail is wide, then the accipiter is NG or SSHA. But, the tail must be completely folded. If the tail is slightly fanned, then the tail tip will be wider than the base of the tail. This will give the look of the tail to be pinched, at the base. This appearance will make the base of the tail appear to be narrow. And you will be fooled. A completely folded tail has the right- side edge of the tail parallel the the left side edge. And that just about wraps it up. Except, that at times, a NG perched, can have a tail which can appear very or quite short, and the tail will taper toward the tip. It can look as a stiletto. However, in flight the NG will lose the tapered tail appearance. So, to wrap it up: An accipiter with a waist, which makes the hawk appear lanky— is a COHA or a SSHA or not a SSHA. NB.

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Cooper’s or Sharp-shinned Hawk?

 Posted on May 1 2021

From SW PA. I say this accipiter is NG or Sharp- shinned Hawk. It is blocky or bulky. The tail is broad while gliding. The wings are broad. The hawk appears to have very little waist. I am not interested in bar charts. I am interested on the photograph. From the observer— The hawk went high overhead. But, how high? The bird was acrobatic. High plus acrobatic, to me means the hawk was not a Cooper’s. The best, Nelson. NB.

Cooper’s/Sharp-shinned

 From Whatbird— posted April 10 2021

Two photos of same bird in mid- Mich.

This accipiter with very long wings and very broad wings could be a goshawk. The tail- tip is certainly not round, which leads away from Cooper’s. However, the tail is not broad and the hawk has a waist, leading away from NG. Yet, I get the feeling the hawk is looming, just drifting along, which means it is not a Cooper’s nor S.S. Hawk. 

Again, the photographer will make zero comment as to what he/she observed. In other words, what was the altitude of the hawk. How was the hawk behaving. What was the size of the hawk. To get to the point: This is why NG are being observed in many areas of the U.S., but not being reported, and in cities, suburbs, pasture land and bottom lands. Also, notice: Goshawk is left out of riddle. I could say left out of the story— but the problem is that there is no story! I say— Tony Leukering should re- examine his evaluation. NB.

I got fooled

 Yesterday, I lifted off from my chair in bedroom, upstairs. I live on a steep ridge line, half way up a steep hill. I overlook the town of Anacortes,Wa. A silver and grey bird was pumping rapidly and    had a long tail and was very chunky. And went down onto a telephone pole. This area is near two large feeder stations. I have never observed a NG perched in this area. I was sure the bird was a NG and mature and male. I grabbed camera and walked near the area. The vocals of the bird were of a EC. Dove. More than once I have been fooled (initially) by this species, usually on take off or landing. On reflecting from the bedroom window, as the bird came close to the house and was pumping rapidly, the bird was also tilted, and tilted for too long of a period of time. I should have known better, than to call it an accipiter. NB. 

Hawk, Ontario, This Weekend

 Posted on April O5, 2021– On What bird.com

On Amherst Island

Nelson says— This hawk is an accipiter. The legs appear to be heavy or large. The accipiter certainly appears to be NG— because the chest and belly are clear. It is as simple as possible. However, there is a small chance that a Cooper’s Hawk can have chest and belly markings that are barely visible.NB.

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photo on whatbird

 Photo on whatbird. Title — Two hawks— not my observation. Feb.10 - 2021. I say that this perched bird and in flight could be a Cooper’s Hawk, and probably is a COHA. The streaking is not thick. The head is flattened. And in winter, COHA, can become bulky.NB.

I am sorry...

 When you see or hear of Sharp- shinned Hawks, you should always insert the word Goshawk into the meaning.

Goshawks have rather broad wings, similar to a buteo’s wing. The wing tips are pointed— in active flight. The wing shape is clean- cut, is well defined. The wings move symmetrically. The wings are shaped symmetrically.

The Cooper’s Hawk’s wings at times are not symmetrical, and they do not have to move in symmetry. I’m sorry that you have not read of this condition. But, you do not have to read about it in order to observe it. NB.

The Thought— In the near future there may be strikes throughout the U.S. Maybe even the Army and the National Guard. This will happen in order get politicians to understand what the people are complaining about. Also, there will be world-wide boycotts against the Tech Tyrants. And a world- wide boycott against Chinese products. This is strictly my take on the situations.Sorry. NB.

Probably goshawk- photo

 January 26 2021- from Whatbird. The last photo number7. Title— Various hawks, by Nonamecreek.

This last photo is probably a Goshawk, does not matter if it might have been photographed in Texas.

Check out the not very long tail. It is severely wedge shaped. With a sharp- pointed tail tip. The under tail coverts are streaked. The chest and belly streaking is extensive. It is possible, I suggest, but am not certain, that the streaking may have been very thick, as observed on some, many?, NG. Notice the legs are not of S.S. Hawk. There is not enough of a white eye- line to express an opinion. Notice— Beware of other birders’ opinions. When a NG, as perched, does show a wedge shaped tail, then the tail is or often is, in some ,(many) cases, not accipiter long.NB.

The Thought— A good read—Eating Dirt. Charlotte Gill. DeepForests, Big Timber, and Life with the Tree- Planting Tribe. NB.

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