There's a trickle down effect that begins around late August when the weather starts getting chilly in the northern U.S. and Canada. Actually, it's more of a fly-down effect: Cold weather up north prompts at least 20 species of hawks to begin the flying south to their winter homes in Central and South America.
Red-tailed hawk.
Their route of choice: the Blue Ridge escarpment, the I-95 of travel for thousands of vultures, falcons, eagles, accipiters and buteos. They like the BRE one, because it's headed in the right direction, and two, updrafts coming up off the surrounding valleys lift the birds to heights estimated at 4,000 to 5,000 feet, from which they can begin an effortless glide south to the next updraft refueling station. The birds can cover up to 200 miles in a day.
And every fall around this time, you'll find birders, avid and novice, likewise flocking to the Blue Ridge escarpment. Birders like those who will be gathering at Pilot Mountain starting Saturday to keep tabs on the migration. The Pilot Mountain watch, which runs through Sept. 30, is sponsored by the Audubon Society of Forsyth County. There, volunteers will take four-hour shifts between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily to count the migrating hawks. Their findings will be reported to HawkCount; information from the count is used to help keep tabs on the health of the environment. (Remember DDT?)
Up for spending part of a gorgeous fall day atop Pilot Mountain scanning for hawks? Touch base with Phil Dickinson with the Forsyth Audubon at pdickins@triad.rr.com or 336.659.2464.
For more information on hawk watching and the hawk migration, check out this story I wrote in 2001.
This post is being simulcast at our sister site, nchikes.com.
Comments
Another place to go, albeit further
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 10:05 — dwcattyAnyone out for a weekend or section hike on the AT in the next month and passing over Big Bald, just north of Sam's Gap and I-26 (about a half hour north of Asheville), might also be able to chat for awhile with the folks doing a hawk migration study up there. These folks come every fall, set up nets to catch migrating hawks, band them, and then release the birds. They are glad to talk with hikers, and it is not unusual for them to have local school groups come up for a day trip. They are set up just to the north of Big Bald, on what amounts to a shoulder of the bald, in an area that is both open and wooded and the AT runs right through the middle of their study area. They have signs they put up so you won't walk into the nets, and when they are done next month take down and remove everything. It is a good, educational stop. The water in the Big Bald shelter spring is running, clear and cold, as is the spring another 4/10 mile north of the shelter down a short blue blazed trail. Big Bald has quite impressive 360 degree views from the summit. Doug