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| Broad-winged Hawk |
Broad-winged Hawks are by far the most numerous species, with 3,707 sighted thus far. These small hawks are not often noticed during the breeding season. They usually nest near forest openings and bodies of water, far from areas of human disturbance. But toward autumn, hundreds of thousands of Broad-winged Hawks fly south to their wintering grounds in Central and South America, traveling about 70 miles per day.
Turkey vultures are the next most often seen species, with 354 sightings of far this season. Sharp-shinned Hawks follow, with 270 seen.
Other species seen thus far include Osprey, 189 sightings; Red-tailed Hawks, 91; Bald Eagles, 89; Black Vultures, 82; Kestrels, 51; Cooper's Hawk, 27; Merlins, 22; Northern Harriers, 11; Peregrine Falcons, 7; Red-shouldered Hawks, 5; and Northern Goshawk, 1.
No reported sightings of Golden Eagles or Rough-legged Hawks have been made thus far.
Teams of dedicated birders have been scanning the skies over Bake Oven Knob for eight hours or more per day as part of the annual effort to document raptor migration. This effort plays an important role in assessing the overall health of raptor populations.
If you'd like to see migrating raptors at Bake Oven Knob, now is the time to do it. Broad-winged Hawks soon will be passing us by on their way south, followed by Ospreys. Sharp-shinned Hawks and Bald Eagles will be around for a little longer.
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