Search for passing birds of prey atop Cadillac Mountain during HawkWatch.
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 2009 HawkWatch season was another big success! From August 19 through October 14, park rangers, volunteers, and visitors spotted, identified, and counted 2,831 birds for the season. Over the past 15 years (1995–2009), the average number of raptors seen per year is 2,579.
Similar to 2008, bird sightings were distributed across the season, resulting in a peak of 287 birds on September 26 and a higher number of birds in October than average. The best sighting of the year occurred as the season closed, with the first-ever golden eagle, a text-book immature individual, seen during the official count.
No top records were broken this year, but near-records included:
- 4th highest total birds (2,831)
- 2nd highest total peregrine falcons (33) and second highest day count of peregrines (5)
Numbers fluctuate each year depending on whether the birds fly near the site or more than a couple of miles away. Using binoculars, spotters can only see a raptor within a ranger of 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 HawkWatch 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 seen 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.
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 next year for another great season of hawk-watching!
