Acadia Hawkwatch

Date: August 22, 2006
Contact: Lora Haller, [phone]

Acadia National Park began its 12th annual Hawkwatch season on Tuesday, August 22. Thousands of birds of prey, including falcons, hawks, ospreys and eagles, migrate through Acadia in the autumn. Each year thousands of park visitors join the Hawkwatch to see and learn more about these fascinating birds.

The Hawkwatch will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily through October 11, weather permitting. Park rangers and volunteers will help visitors find and identify birds passing by, and provide natural history information on hawks and related topics. Data collected on raptors seen will contribute to a regional picture of hawk populations generated from data collected at similar sites all over New England. Numbers seen on Cadillac vary greatly, depending on weather patterns. Clearing days with northerly winds after the passage of a cold front are often particularly productive. About 2,500 raptors are sighted at the Hawkwatch annually.

Residents of neighboring communities are encouraged to visit often and become part of the cadre of “regulars” who contribute greatly to the overall count. 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. The site is located on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail, 200 yards from the Cadillac Summit parking lot. Daily hawk counts will also be posted in the park at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Sieur de Monts Nature Center, Park Headquarters, and Cadillac Summit Center. For further information, including visiting with a large group, school group, or volunteering, contact Lora Haller at [phone] or via e-mail.