Hawkwatching (sometimes referred to as hawkcounting) is a mainly citizen science activity where experienced volunteers count migratory raptors (birds of prey) in an effort to survey migratory numbers.[1] Groups of hawkwatchers often congregate along well-known migratory routes[2] such as mountain ridges, coastlines and land bridges, where raptors ride on updrafts created by the topography. Hawkwatches are often formally or informally organized by non-profit organizations such as an Audubon chapter, state park, wildlife refuge or other important birding area. Some hawkwatches remain independent of any organizing structure.
The overarching goal of hawkwatch programs is to provide long-term data on regional raptor abundance to help track population trends through time.[3] Many North American hawkwatchers contribute their count data to the Hawk Migration Association of North America at hawkcount.org, a nonprofit website that coordinates hawkwatching data. Data may also contributed to other platforms such as eBird.
- ^ "Cape May Hawkwatch Marks 40 Years of Tracking Wildlife". Cape May County Herald. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ Huang, Sunnie (April 4, 2015). "Hawk enthusiasts observe spring migration at annual Hawkwatch". CBC News. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ Hussell, David, JT; Ruelas Inzunza, Ernesto (2008). "Long-term monitoring: the raptor population index in principle". State of North Americas Birds of Prey. Nuttall Ornithological Club and American Ornithologists Union Series in Ornithology: 151–164. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
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