Today the Cattaraugus County Bird Club went for our annual hawk field trip to the Ripley Hawk Watch in Ripley New York. We headed to this hawk watch because the birds will migrate north along thermos and then reach Lake Erie. Since the lake water is cold (causing cold airs and no thermos) the hawks will not cross the lake and follow the waters edge until they find a land bridge. These areas are perfect spots in seeing many raptors in one location. Although, it was a clear sky and hard finding these bird specks way up in the sky. It was fun anyways with many great birds.
Sharp-shinned Hawk moving along Lake Erie!
We saw so many hawks that I had a hard time putting a specific number on many of the species we saw (so I will give estimates)! Some of the raptors we saw included: Sharp-shinned Hawk (few dozen), Cooper’s Hawk (dozen), Goshawk (5), American Kestrel (4), Merlin (1), Red-tailed Hawk (few dozen), Broad-winged Hawk (100+), Northern Harrier (1), Bald Eagle (2), and Turkey Vulture (to many to tell for sure between locals and migrants). Other migrants we observed included a Common Loon, Great Blue Heron and Double-crested Cormorant.
One of the Goshawks that flew right over our heads!
We had many other birds while on this field trip which included a Western Meadowlark singing out in the field!
One of many Broad-winged Hawk Kettles we saw!
This post was first posted on Mon@rch’s Nature Blog and then reposted by Tom for the Catt. Co. Birdclub.
Cattaraugus County Bird Study Club 
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