Oct.5 2021 at about 1 pm. This was an exciting sighting. Because the report was near overhead and the winds were at about 15 mph. Temps at 58 degrees. Also because the sighting was in business district and the hawk was at about 75 feet altitude. Also the hawk appeared out of nowhere. The hawk was hidden within the mass of darkness of about 75 small dark birds. When the birds departed what was left there was the NG. The hawk did a little spin about and flew across the road to get with another batch or the same batch of small dark birds about 200 yards away. The hawk as bulky, not lanky. The wings were bulky, not stubby. Most of the head was within the valley of the wrists. This NG was immature. NB. Anacortes.
Dear birders and hawk watchers— and there is a world of difference. There is a world of difference between a birder and a hawk watcher and a world of difference between a Cooper’s Hawk and a Goshawk — especially in flight. The next 4-5 postings will all be considered under the title of — You are being fooled. The postings will be about the publication Hawks in Flight. Also, my understanding of why goshawks do not prefer to live in the forests: how you are being fooled. I first arrived in Deception Pass and in Anacortes, Fidalgo Island in 1999. Deception Pass is on North Whidbey Island and is considered to be the largest island in the U.S. From the very start I realized that NG were a common species. I was observing singles, mostly females, nearly always in the sky. Sometimes I would observe doubles, and one time at the Pass, triples of two males and one female. I am quite sure they are breeding in Anacortes Forest and also on North Whidbey Island. I would start observing the...
One of my developed favorite expressions: You have seen goshawks, your neighbor has observed goshawks and your friends have observed goshawks. How can I say that while I live in Washington, close to the Canada border? How can I say that while you live in Texas, or Oklahoma, or Kansas? The only answer is that NG are a common species in many areas of the U.S. And that they are readily available for observation in the sky. Which means they cannot hide in the sky. Which also means— the higher the raptor the longer the elapsed time of observation which can occur. But, what if structure, man made or natural structure interferes with your observation. Well, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. So, just to understand— the altitude of an accipiter is an important part of understanding the accipiters. But, we should take into factor, the season or time of the year. More on this later— another posting. Donald Freiday— on his birding blog has stated— If you think you saw a goshawk then ...
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