The Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch (RTPHW) in Media PA has functioned as an organized Fall migration hawk watch since 1999. They are much more than just a group of folks who enjoy counting raptors. It is an important part of a nationwide network of over 300 hawk watches that span the continent from Canada through Central America and even to Colombia and Venezuela in South America. The results of the annual counts are compiled into a database managed by The Hawk Migration Association, formerly The Hawk Migration Association of North America. This fall will be its 27th consecutive year of operation and the 25th year of contributing data to the HMA database (look it up at hawkcount.org). The data collected from RTPHW has contributed to invaluable research that informs our understanding of not just raptor migration but bird migration in general. The data and research are used for conservation efforts across the globe. They even count Monarch butterflies. Citizen Science at its best!
Sadly, interest in hawk counting is dwindling across the country and RTPHW, like others, has had to shorten its count period and reduce its daily hours of observation due to a shortage of counters. There are many reasons for this and it is undeniable that hawk watching has its challenges. There is nothing like the exhilaration of witnessing a strong flight of raptors, especially when kettles of Broad-winged Hawks pass over by the hundreds or even thousands in mid-September. It’s what keeps us coming back. But there are many days when the migrants are just trickling through and, depending on the weather, there may be none at all.
In general, hawk count totals are down. Habitat loss, pesticides and other toxins will reduce raptor populations. Climate change can alter migration patterns. These are just a few possibilities. Helping the effort to figure this out is why they are there.
At Rose Tree and other smaller hawk watches another factor that seems to be affecting the counts is a reduced number of observers at the site. This is where any of you can help them out by stopping by with your binoculars. There is a lot of sky to cover and some of our raptors are no more than high-flying specks. You don’t have to know what it is. It may not even be a raptor. But point it out. Don’t be shy. Visitors have pointed out “good” birds on many occasions. And you may learn something. Hawk watchers love to show off their ID skills.
If you are comfortable with your raptor ID skills or want to sharpen them, please stop by. Hang out with them and consider signing up to be a counter. They need all the help they can get. Beginners are welcome and will be trained.
Hawk watching, like eBird, bird atlases and other projects is a valuable citizen science tool. RTPHW is a member of a relatively small group of hawk watches with over two decades of consistent data collection. Their data becomes even more valuable with each additional year. The longer they can keep it going, the better. You can help.
Please contact John Mercer at mercer1135@aol.com if you can help or are interested in learning about hawk counting.
