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| Search for passing birds of prey atop Cadillac Mountain during HawkWatch. |
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Every year, strong northerly winds push thousands of raptors from Maine and Canada south along the eastern coastline as they migrate to warmer areas for the winter. With its wide-open views and tallest vantage point on the eastern U.S. coast, Acadia's HawkWatch location on Cadillac Mountain often provides visitors with a close look at the soaring raptors. Each year, program participants see large numbers of sharp-shinned hawks and American kestrels, while many other raptors pass along with them.
The 2007 HawkWatch season was a huge success! From August 21 through October 10, park rangers, volunteers, and visitors spotted, identified, and counted a record breaking 3,697 birds for the season—an all-time high. Over the past 12 years (1995-2006), the average number of raptors seen per year is 2,460. Notable numbers for this season included:
- The highest day of the season on September 5, with 458 birds in 8.5 hours. This was earlier than expected since our site typically sees the peak days in mid-September. Mid-September did bring several days of over 275 birds.
- Record-breaking numbers for several species, including:
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- A new seasonal total of sharp-shinned hawks with 1,527
- A second highest seasonal recording of American kestrels at 1,037
- A second highest seasonal recording of osprey at 210
- A new seasonal total of northern harriers at 161
- New 1st, 2nd, and 3rd highest days ever of northern harriers on September 30, 29, and 24, respectively
- A third highest season of merlins at 78.
Numbers will fluctuate each year depending on whether the birds physically go past the site or are a couple miles away. Using binoculars, spotters can only see a raptor within about two miles due to their small size. They can easily pass four miles away and for them, still be on track within sight of their coastal highway, but out of our view. Because of these factors, Acadia's information alone does not enable us to draw direct conclusions. We must also look at the findings of other hawk watch sites across the New England area.
Hawkwatches around the country allow researchers to collect important data on raptors. When these numbers are brought together, the data help scientists understand the status of the raptor population—if the numbers of a species are increasing, decreasing, or stable in the environment. For example, over the past few years, hawkwatches have had a large increase in the numbers of bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and osprey compared to the 1970s. Their numbers from the 1940s to 1970 were severely decreased due to the pesticide DDT, which caused eggshell thinning and allowed very few young to survive.
The 2008 HawkWatch season will begin August 21 and will run through mid-October. Stop by from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (weather permitting) to catch a glimpse of these migrating birds. Northerly wind day provide the best opportunity to see the birds in flight.
This event provides rewarding memories and allows everyone in the family to participate in the thrill of spotting birds of prey and learning about raptor migration. Pack your lunch, binoculars, a field guide, and warm clothing, and join us for another great season of hawk-watching!
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