2017 Chestnut Ridge HawkWatch Season Review
2017 Chestnut Ridge HawkWatch Season Summary
Thank you to everyone that came out to the HawkWatch this season! The HawkWatch is not just our longest running conservation research effort at Bedford Audubon, it’s truly a community event. Regular visitors become part of our team– pointing out distant migrants, tracking the movements of resident hawks and vultures, and commiserating over the hot, flat, blue skies that are a HawkWatcher’s nemesis.
And of course the data we collect and submit to the Hawk Migration Association of North America is critical in better understanding raptor migration, population dynamics, and how best to protect these environmental sentinels.
Since the close of the season, Silvan Laan, the Lead Counter, has compiled the data and summarized it in a final season review, which is available for download in the sidebar.
Enjoy the gallery of photos below!
Most of the photos were taken by Charlotte Catalano, our HawkWatch Interpreter & Spotter. Charlotte captured not just migrating raptors (and sometimes at extreme distances), but also other migrants using the Arthur Butler Sanctuary as stopover habitat.
Great photos, Charlotte!
Thanks, Rick!
Visiting the hawk watch was an amazing experience. From learning what a nightjar was on my first visit, to finding out what a kettle was, with each visit I learned more and more! Sylvan and Charlotte were full of information, and seemed to have an answer for every question I had about birds of prey and migration.
Thanks, David Ahrens
Thanks so much, David! We really enjoyed having you visit, and hope you’ll come again if you’re able!