Fall Raptor Count

Raptor counts at Hawk Ridge first began in the 1950's. In 1972 the first standardized count began, and has been continued each fall.  

FALL COUNT NUMBERS

From 1951 through 1971 the hawk count was a part time effort mostly in September. Coverage varied from 4 to 42 days. Complete and consistent coverage at Hawk Ridge began in 1972, the first year of operation of the banding station and of a full time hawk count.

A standardized count of migrating hawks is conducted annually from mid-August through November (and later, if possible). The results of the count, one of the two or three highest in the continent, are published by the Hawk Migration Association of North America, in the Hawk Ridge Annual Report, and are filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.