3 August 2011
I just called Tim Snow- Biologist Tucson Game and Fish, concerning the 7 photos of 3 different NG in Tucson 2011. Tim stated that he has no problem with the identification of 2 of the NG, one on Craycroft and 1 on S. Kolb Road. Still, I will not publish those photos.
I am now a full -time resident of Anacortes, Wa. And I am a home owner. Please heed- www.goshawkspugetsound.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Female NG Voyager RV Resort
27 March 3 P.M. VRVR 1 female NG- the hawk was at 300 feet or more of elevation. The hawk was circling over and over again, and flapping as an NG can flap. The size, shape , proportions, and color were of a female NG.
Letter to Tucson Game and Fish
28 March 2011- To Robert Fink- Wildlife Program Manager Here is my report on the Goshawks of Tucson 2010-11. It is possible I will send to you some photographs, as they have not been printed yet. I wish for you to understand that I am in the field every day , expecting to observe a raptor or 2 in flight. And that possibly 90 per cent of my time in the field I come up empty. One reason is that I do not live near a major or minor hawk migration route. So, because of my plethora of Northern goshawk sightings, I hope you do not brand me, " the man who saw to many goshawks." On March 30 I will depart from Tucson, and probably not return to Arizona. I am to be a full time resident of Anacortes, Washington.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
goshawks yes
26 March 10 A.M. VRVR
1 female NG soaring and flapping with relaxed , deep wing beats, over my rig, and drifting away. But, there was another female higher and farther away. Then a male NG ripped upward to be with one female. All 3 were visible at once! Goshawk triples! One female was mature, as the fluffy, white under tail coverts were fluttering out to both sides of the base of the tail.!
Also - 1 mature male NG 3:30 P.M.
As I was walking- 1 mature male NG ripping at 100 feet elevation. Then walking with camera- 1 mature male NG. All 3 photos were deleted, on purpose. Then on bike with camera another sighting. Observation time- 30 seconds- 3 minutes- 10 seconds. respectively. My time hawking and trying to re observe- 30 minutes.
1 female NG soaring and flapping with relaxed , deep wing beats, over my rig, and drifting away. But, there was another female higher and farther away. Then a male NG ripped upward to be with one female. All 3 were visible at once! Goshawk triples! One female was mature, as the fluffy, white under tail coverts were fluttering out to both sides of the base of the tail.!
Also - 1 mature male NG 3:30 P.M.
As I was walking- 1 mature male NG ripping at 100 feet elevation. Then walking with camera- 1 mature male NG. All 3 photos were deleted, on purpose. Then on bike with camera another sighting. Observation time- 30 seconds- 3 minutes- 10 seconds. respectively. My time hawking and trying to re observe- 30 minutes.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Hawking while driving
24 March 11 A.M.
We traveled 40 miles of hawking, and observed ZERO raptors in flight. The weather conditions were outstanding. 3 raptors were perched. 2 were Red-tailed Hawks. The third was probably a Red-tailed Hawk. I am reporting on what I observed, not on statistical probability. I did not report the hawk as a probable Red-tail Hawk, relating to the height of the perched hawk. Or the habitat or the time of day, or the season of the year. Hawk watchers and birders should always back-up their suggestions with the facts that are in the NOW!
We traveled 40 miles of hawking, and observed ZERO raptors in flight. The weather conditions were outstanding. 3 raptors were perched. 2 were Red-tailed Hawks. The third was probably a Red-tailed Hawk. I am reporting on what I observed, not on statistical probability. I did not report the hawk as a probable Red-tail Hawk, relating to the height of the perched hawk. Or the habitat or the time of day, or the season of the year. Hawk watchers and birders should always back-up their suggestions with the facts that are in the NOW!
Over my rig goshawk
23 March 9 A.M. VRVR
1 female NG naked -eye. The hawk was circling over and over again near my RV at 125-150 feet elevation. The hawk was the size of a Red-tailed Hawk. The wing beats were very deep, very rapid, and very flexible. At times the wing beats slowed - and showed pointed tips with a moderate"S" shape to the wings! OT- 2 minutes.
Also at 10:30 A.M.- 1 female NG circling over and over again in hunting mode at 125 feet elevation. The hawk was typical female goshawk. We left the area with the hawk yet circling. Location- near Prudence and Broadway.
I'm screaming to the birders of Tucson- "Wake up." But I must calm down and consider- the birders of Tucson are only birders. As I explain to any of my students- I will not put the bird in your hand- you will not see the red eye!
1 female NG naked -eye. The hawk was circling over and over again near my RV at 125-150 feet elevation. The hawk was the size of a Red-tailed Hawk. The wing beats were very deep, very rapid, and very flexible. At times the wing beats slowed - and showed pointed tips with a moderate"S" shape to the wings! OT- 2 minutes.
Also at 10:30 A.M.- 1 female NG circling over and over again in hunting mode at 125 feet elevation. The hawk was typical female goshawk. We left the area with the hawk yet circling. Location- near Prudence and Broadway.
I'm screaming to the birders of Tucson- "Wake up." But I must calm down and consider- the birders of Tucson are only birders. As I explain to any of my students- I will not put the bird in your hand- you will not see the red eye!
56 miles of hawking
18 March -11:30 A.M. - Rt 10 northward to Contaro- then south along Silver Bell- then back to exit of South Kolb Road
56 miles of hawking- not one raptor was airborne! 1 large raptor was perched on top of a high tension pole. Probably a Red-tailed Hawk, naked -eye. And this is why birders do not have the time nor the patience to go just hawk watching; the variety and amount of raptors in flight is inauspicious. AND THIS IS WHY I AM SO SUCCESSFUL WITH OBSERVING GOSHAWKS; WITH LETTING GOSHAWKS FIND ME!
56 miles of hawking- not one raptor was airborne! 1 large raptor was perched on top of a high tension pole. Probably a Red-tailed Hawk, naked -eye. And this is why birders do not have the time nor the patience to go just hawk watching; the variety and amount of raptors in flight is inauspicious. AND THIS IS WHY I AM SO SUCCESSFUL WITH OBSERVING GOSHAWKS; WITH LETTING GOSHAWKS FIND ME!
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