How to have a successful day of hawk watching

Hawk watching is simple: go to a location and look for migrating raptors. Where you go, when you go, and what you bring has a big impact on your success and comfort. This article covers tips from professionals for having a successful day.

Preparation

Choosing a hawk watching location

Each hawk watch site is different. Factors to consider when picking a site to visit include:

• driving distance
• hiking distance from the parking area to the hawk watch
• terrain
• target species

You can find active hawk watch sites in your state on HawkCount. Be aware that some locations charge an admission fee.

You can also try hawk watching on your own by picking a local mountain site or park. Many great hawk watching spots await discovery.

Choosing a day

Raptor migration occurs primarily in the spring and fall. For sites in the northeast USA the typical count seasons are:

• Spring: March - May
• Fall: September - November

Many sites are spring-only or fall-only depending on the local geography. Some sites conduct daily counts. Other sites may only count when counters are available or when the weather is good.

Many people plan hawk watching trips for the peak of Broad-winged Hawk migration in mid-September. Others may target Golden Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks during the colder months. Coastal sites have impressive falcon flights, whereas inland sites get more Buteos.

Choosing the right day is extremely important. A hawk watch can have only a few migrants one day and thousands the next.

Weather

The weather is the most important factor for choosing a day for hawk watching. In general, in the fall the best conditions are northwest winds after a cold front. In the spring, look for warm southerly winds.

A mix of sun and clouds is preferable. Sun creates thermals which give the hawks lift. Clouds provide contrast for spotting birds. Hawk watchers call cloudless skies "blue skies of death."

Each site has its own conditions that produce the best flights. HawkCount is a good website to find this information. Most daily reports include a forecast for the next day. You can also look at past seasons to see what the conditions were on the best days.

Time of Day

Time of day is also important. Compared to other types of birding, hawk watching doesn't require starting as early. Each day varies based on time of year, geography, and weather, but the list below gives a rough outline of what to expect.

Sunrise - 9am

Peak songbird activity and early raptors

9am - noon

Peak raptor activity as thermals build

Noon - 3pm

Mid-day lull as migrating raptors reach peak altitude

3pm - 6pm

Raptors descend as thermals weaken

6pm - sunset

Late raptors and increased songbird activity

For a day of hawk watching one good strategy is to start around 8-9am. This allows time to get settled in and watch songbirds while waiting for raptors. The first raptors of the day often give the closest views. Too often beginners arrive at a hawk watch during the mid-afternoon lull and are disappointed. If you only have a few hours to spend, plan on arriving between 9-10am.

On windy days raptors may be migrating earlier because they are not depending on thermals.

Etiquette

It is important to follow the proper etiquette when visiting a hawk watch. The atmosphere varies a lot from site to site. The best advice to follow is "when in Rome, do as the Romans". Get a feel for the situation and then jump in.

One person acts as the official counter. They make the final decisions on identification and which birds to count as migrants. On busy days the official counter may not have time to chat. Some sites have staff members or volunteers who work as interpreters to help visitors spot and identify birds.

Restrooms

Some hawk watches have restrooms available. These can range from porta-potties to outhouses to indoor plumbing. At sites without a bathroom it is generally acceptable to tell the others you are going to "look for warblers" then wander off to find a tree.

Hawk Watching Gear

Here's what you should consider bringing with you on a hawk watching trip.

Optics

Binoculars

Binoculars are essential equipment for hawk watching.

• Any birding binoculars in the 7-10x range will work
• Professional counters usually prefer 7x or 8x binoculars to have a wider field of view
• High powered binoculars (12x-15x) are harder to hold steady. They have a narrower field of view. The optical quality is often unsatisfactory except in the most expensive models

Some hawk watches may have binoculars available for visitors to borrow.

Spotting Scope

A spotting scope can be helpful for watching distant birds, but may be inconvenient on a long hike. A sturdy tripod prevents scope shake on windy days.

Some hawk watchers discourage the use of spotting scopes. Scope users tend to scan the horizon rather than focusing on birds overhead. Scopes can also interfere with the learning process. Beginners try to focus on field marks such as color rather than shape and flight style.

Camera

If you want to photograph raptors at a hawk watch, you'll need a camera with a telephoto lens — usually at least 400mm. Bring spare batteries, especially on cold days. Other accessories may include memory cards and a cleaning cloth.

Clothing

Hawk watches often have no protection from the wind and sun, so proper clothing is vital. The best strategy is to dress in layers. You may need fewer layers for the hike up, and then all your layers once you are sitting still. Always bring one more layer than you think you'll need.

• During warmer months you may be baking in the sun.
• Footwear will depend on the terrain and temperature. During colder months wear multiple pairs of socks plus warm boots.
• Hand warmers and toe warmers are a cheap way to add comfort.
• Heated clothing that runs on battery packs is available. I use this rechargeable heated vest and rechargeable heated scarf on really cold days. (We earn a commission on sales made through these links.)

Seats

Bring a cushion to sit on when going to sites where you must sit on rocks or other uncomfortable surfaces. At other sites, a folding chair may be an option. A small foldable hunting chair like this one I have used might be a good option if you are looking for something light and don't mind being low to the ground. (We earn a commission on sales made through this link.)

Sunglasses

Sunglasses help in all but the darkest conditions. Surprisingly, sunglasses are most helpful on cloudy days. On bright cloudy days it can be painful to look at the sky without them. Non-polarized sunglasses give the sky an even shade. Polarized sunglasses make sections of the sky look darker which can make it difficult to spot birds.

Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin in the morning and reapply as needed. Chapstick will protect your lips.

Food

Bring your own food for the day. Tables may not be available so choose food that is easy to eat and won't blow away. Be prepared to carry out your trash. Bring hand sanitizer.

Typical hawk watching foods include:

• Sandwiches
• Fruit
• Trail mix

Water

Bring water or other beverages. Hawk watchers run the risk of dehydration when not drinking enough.

Tip: A good time to remind yourself to take a drink is at the top of each hour when the totals are being compiled.

Portable cell phone charger

A portable battery pack for recharging your cell phone is a good safety device that will ensure you won't have a dead battery. I like this one, which several of my family members use. (We earn a commission on sales made through this link.)

Field Guide

Beginners may benefit from bringing a field guide for reference. This can be a general bird field guide or one specifically for raptors.

Disclosure: We earn commissions for purchases made through the links above.

Of course studying raptors beforehand is a good idea. Not being able to identify raptors can be frustrating. Regardless of your current level, a review before heading into the field will make your day more enjoyable. My LycoBirds Raptor Identification YouTube Playlist is a good place to review before heading out for your trip.