Fall 1995 Spectacular Raptor Migration Almost 80,000 Hawks Observed

With Brian Sullivan's discerning skills and more systematic observation, we confirmed that Kiptopeke is a major path for hawk migration, rivaling such nationally known sites as Cape May, New Jersey, and Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania.

And what a migration path Kiptopeke proved to be! The hawks came on strong winds, flying low, hugging the tree tops. They came on light winds, flying high, almost at the edge of binocular range. Many days more than 2,000 raptors were sighted; on a few days, over 4,000; and on September 29th, Brian and his colleagues observed an astonishing 8,757 raptors! Here's a summary of last fall's observations:

Species	Totals
American Kestrel	20,682
Bald Eagle	264
Black vulture	2,127
Broad-winged hawk	5,211
Cooper's hawk	3,625
Golden eagle	37
Merlin	2,126
Northern goshawk	14
Northern harrier	1,697
Osprey	5,762
Peregrine falcon	985
Red-shouldered hawk	183
Red-tailed hawk	2,083
Rough-legged hawk	1
Sharp-shinned hawk	26,355
Swainson's hawk	6
Turkey vulture	8,034
TOTAL	79,192

For most of us, 1995's hawk watch was truly re-creation. For professionals, there was also knowledge. Brian Sullivan's detailed observations and comparison with observations elsewhere prompted more refined hypotheses about migration conditions and paths. We will be checking these hypotheses in future years.

Return to Summer '96 Newsletter