27 November Fry's Market Rita Ranch Development 12 P.M.
1 immature male Cooper's Hawk dropped on prey (a small bird) on a flat cement flower- planting. I was in a sub shop observing. The nervous hawk flew with the prey. This is an indication of my concept - " Where you find Cooper's Hawks you will nearly always find Goshawks". This area is a hot spot for Goshawks and male and female Cooper's Hawks!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Another Common Northern Goshawk
25 November 4: 15 P.M. VRVR
1 male Goshawk- a large accipiter lifted off over the park models. I thought the hawk may have been a Cooper's. The hawk was at about 50-75 feet elevation and went down near the lift off area- another reason I thought the hawk was a Cooper's. The hawk did not flap and I would not observe the shape of the wings. It is possible to observe 4 different Cooper's in this resort.
10 minutes later a (THE?) hawk appeared over the park models in active flight at about 80 feet elevation and circled back and went down. This hawk had very rapid, very flexible, and very deep wing beats. The hawk was a Common Northern Goshawk, male.
1 male Goshawk- a large accipiter lifted off over the park models. I thought the hawk may have been a Cooper's. The hawk was at about 50-75 feet elevation and went down near the lift off area- another reason I thought the hawk was a Cooper's. The hawk did not flap and I would not observe the shape of the wings. It is possible to observe 4 different Cooper's in this resort.
10 minutes later a (THE?) hawk appeared over the park models in active flight at about 80 feet elevation and circled back and went down. This hawk had very rapid, very flexible, and very deep wing beats. The hawk was a Common Northern Goshawk, male.
Voyager RV Resort Goshawk
24 November 4:30 P.M. VRVR
1 female NG- This hawk was struggling to keep on track. The winds at ground level were 15 plus miles per hour. The hawk was at about 250- 300 feet elevation and well-passed my position. The hawk was pumping straight into the wind. This observation tells me that this hawk was heading toward its roosting site. This is because of my many years of experiences with Goshawks in this particular area of Tucson. Also the time of day, the altitude of the hawk and determination of the hawk attempting to reach a specific ? area, all adds to my suggestion.
1 female NG- This hawk was struggling to keep on track. The winds at ground level were 15 plus miles per hour. The hawk was at about 250- 300 feet elevation and well-passed my position. The hawk was pumping straight into the wind. This observation tells me that this hawk was heading toward its roosting site. This is because of my many years of experiences with Goshawks in this particular area of Tucson. Also the time of day, the altitude of the hawk and determination of the hawk attempting to reach a specific ? area, all adds to my suggestion.
Rita Ranch Complex Goshawk
23 November 10 P.M. Rita Ranch Housing Complex
1 NG- the hawk was at 150 feet elevation and ripping through the sky, over a large scrub field. The sighting was naked eye and was a drive-by. Many of my NG sightings are made as I am driving, and the goshawk is in flight.
1 NG- the hawk was at 150 feet elevation and ripping through the sky, over a large scrub field. The sighting was naked eye and was a drive-by. Many of my NG sightings are made as I am driving, and the goshawk is in flight.
2 NG ?
22 November 4 P.M. Prudence and Broadway
1 perched Cooper's. This female Cooper's went to perch over my position. The hawk had thick, extensive streaking. But the streaking stopped at the under tail coverts. The hawk went toward the buildings, and used the structure as a shield, as Cooper's will often do. Goshawks do not act in this manner. The wing shape was Cooper's as the hawk pumped and glided over the structure. Initial impression- the hawk was a Cooper's because of the slim -look of the body. Also, the hawk appeared to be nervous or high-strung. Then doubt came as I observed the streaking- possibly this hawk is a Goshawk- but it was a Cooper's.
10 minutes later, on Broadway and Kolb- perched Doves and 30 perched pigeons. The pigeons lifted off and circled twice at 70 feet elevation, in a tight circle, and then went back to perch on same telephone wires and pole. It appeared the pigeons were active because a raptor was near-by. Off to my left flank, at about 150 feet elevation and going away was a large accipiter. The hawk was flapping and gliding, with pointed wing tips, and "S" shaped wings, and stubby wings.
At 5 P.M. behind Costco on Grant- 1 Goshawk came through rapidly at about 125 feet elevation, heading into the the large wash that contains many trees and much greenery. Was this the same Goshawk I observed at 4 P.M.? It could have been. This entire area is a Goshawk hot spot- Costco on Grant, Wal-mart on Speedway and Kolb, and Saint Joseph's Hospital near Wilmont and Broadway.
1 perched Cooper's. This female Cooper's went to perch over my position. The hawk had thick, extensive streaking. But the streaking stopped at the under tail coverts. The hawk went toward the buildings, and used the structure as a shield, as Cooper's will often do. Goshawks do not act in this manner. The wing shape was Cooper's as the hawk pumped and glided over the structure. Initial impression- the hawk was a Cooper's because of the slim -look of the body. Also, the hawk appeared to be nervous or high-strung. Then doubt came as I observed the streaking- possibly this hawk is a Goshawk- but it was a Cooper's.
10 minutes later, on Broadway and Kolb- perched Doves and 30 perched pigeons. The pigeons lifted off and circled twice at 70 feet elevation, in a tight circle, and then went back to perch on same telephone wires and pole. It appeared the pigeons were active because a raptor was near-by. Off to my left flank, at about 150 feet elevation and going away was a large accipiter. The hawk was flapping and gliding, with pointed wing tips, and "S" shaped wings, and stubby wings.
At 5 P.M. behind Costco on Grant- 1 Goshawk came through rapidly at about 125 feet elevation, heading into the the large wash that contains many trees and much greenery. Was this the same Goshawk I observed at 4 P.M.? It could have been. This entire area is a Goshawk hot spot- Costco on Grant, Wal-mart on Speedway and Kolb, and Saint Joseph's Hospital near Wilmont and Broadway.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
more of goshawks
18 November 8:10 A.M. VRVR
1 female NG over the RV park at 250 feet elevation. The hawk was the size of a Red -Tail Hawk, and was circling and flapping with very deep, very rapid, and very flexible wing beats.
Also at 11 A.M., very near the RV resort: 1 male NG- flapping and gliding. Elevation of hawk about 100 feet.
Another example of how I outshine any and all members of the Tucson Audubon Society, be they ornithologists or profession field trip leaders (guides).
1 female NG over the RV park at 250 feet elevation. The hawk was the size of a Red -Tail Hawk, and was circling and flapping with very deep, very rapid, and very flexible wing beats.
Also at 11 A.M., very near the RV resort: 1 male NG- flapping and gliding. Elevation of hawk about 100 feet.
Another example of how I outshine any and all members of the Tucson Audubon Society, be they ornithologists or profession field trip leaders (guides).
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Mature male NG
14 November 3:15 P.M. Voyager RV Resort (VRVR)
1 mature male NG- bright sun- the sun was fairly low. The NG was in hunting mode- in active flight. The sun reflected off the ventral area- chest , belly, under wings , and so. Elevation of hawk about 125 feet. Sighting was naked eye.
1 mature male NG- bright sun- the sun was fairly low. The NG was in hunting mode- in active flight. The sun reflected off the ventral area- chest , belly, under wings , and so. Elevation of hawk about 125 feet. Sighting was naked eye.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Mature male Gos
9 November Sam Lena Park - 11 P.M.
1 mature male NG- This hawk was soaring, flapping, gliding, and drifting with pigeons. We also observed this same hawk on 5 occasions. At times the hawk would soar to 500 feet or more elevation. At times the hawk would go into trees to perch. This is not an unusual sighting. Female NG also will hunt in this area. We observed this hawk for a total of about 8 minutes of flight. A Common Loon was also in the park!
1 mature male NG- This hawk was soaring, flapping, gliding, and drifting with pigeons. We also observed this same hawk on 5 occasions. At times the hawk would soar to 500 feet or more elevation. At times the hawk would go into trees to perch. This is not an unusual sighting. Female NG also will hunt in this area. We observed this hawk for a total of about 8 minutes of flight. A Common Loon was also in the park!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Male NG- Rita Ranch Complex
4 November 1 P.M. near Purple Heart Park- near Nexus and Rita Road
1 male NG. The accipiter was nailed by its size and shape. And by its very deep, very rapid, and very flexible wing beats. The hawk was within and above 50 pigeons. The pigeons had just lifted off of the resident's rooftops. This area is a common site for observing NG- Male and Female. HINT: never expect to observe a perched Goshawk!
1 male NG. The accipiter was nailed by its size and shape. And by its very deep, very rapid, and very flexible wing beats. The hawk was within and above 50 pigeons. The pigeons had just lifted off of the resident's rooftops. This area is a common site for observing NG- Male and Female. HINT: never expect to observe a perched Goshawk!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Red goshawk
2 November 4 P.M. Voyager RV Resort
1 female NG with red chest and belly. Elevation of bird 100 feet, naked eye, sun behind me. Observation time - about a minute or so.
1 female NG with red chest and belly. Elevation of bird 100 feet, naked eye, sun behind me. Observation time - about a minute or so.
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