Carter Hill Raptor Observatory - New Hampshire Audubon

Results
Over the course of the fall, 7,142 raptors of 16 species were counted migrating past Carter Hill,
7,046 of them in the official count period of September 1 st to October 31 st . The additional 96 birds
counted in the 46.25 hour logged in November may not seem too significant when looking at overall
numbers, but they accounted for the only rough-legged hawks, among a few other notable species and
numbers. The site‟s first record of a black vulture came through on September 21 st , making history as
the first of its kind to be observed in the entirety of Concord! Two golden eagles were also observed,
the highest season total for this species in the five years of hawk watching at the Observatory.
Many raptor species showed a record increase over previous seasons‟ numbers, and MOST
species set new season records in 2012. There are several factors that this may be attributed to, and
analysis of a single season of migration cannot be used on its own to make accurate determinations
about actual population size of species. Still, some observations about this season can be made. The
2012 season had more observers scanning the skies, and far more hours were logged this year (418)
than any past season. Observer hours have grown consistently at the Observatory each of the past four
years. As observer experience builds, individuals have become more adept at finding and identifying
birds, a trend that we hope to carry into future seasons.
With the exception of a couple of significant weather events, including Hurricane Sandy in late
October, which shut down migration – and the hawk watch – for several days, there were generally
excellent weather conditions for migrants for much of the count. The first part of October, when most
species reached their peaks, was notable. Also, many raptor populations are holding steady or on the
rise, and we should continue to expect bald eagle, Cooper's hawk, peregrine falcon, and turkey vulture
numbers to grow. For other species like the American kestrel and Northern harrier, which are both in
decline, their heightened numbers could reflect a good flight year where conditions were potentially
favorable on breeding grounds, or, for simply ushering more birds than usual over the Observatory. The
overall season total was lower than 2011‟s record season as fewer broad-winged hawks were tallied, but
it was still an above-average count.