Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch

This is why braving the chilly weather at the hawk watch is worth it! On Sunday our hawk watchers present had the thrill of seeing this gorgeous subadult GOLDEN EAGLE fly over at low range in the late afternoon. It is now prime time for these birds to be visiting our area as they migrate down from Eastern Canada. We are reaching peak season as well for Red-Shouldered Hawks, Turkey Vultures and other species so keep your eyes peeled on hawkcount.org in our daily totals for Quaker Ridge that include migration forecasts for each day. Dress warmly and see you on the lawn!

(All Photos by Ian Henderson)

As we enter October we have now tallied over 5,000 migrating raptors for the season. Broad-Winged Hawks have largely come to a halt but the later half of September did have two days of over 100 late Broad-Wings. Sharp-Shinned & Cooper's Hawks have now picked up in numbers along with the first migrating Turkey Vultures. Non-raptor highlights have included a fly-by Great Cormorant on October 1st, Rusty Blackbird and American Pipits. You can continue to follow our numbers live at hawkcount.org!

All photos by Ian Teall-Henderson

This week at hawk watches like our Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch and across the globe we’re celebrating International Hawk Migration Week! Not only are hundreds of hawk watches enjoying the spectacle of hawk migration but we are also raising awareness for how crucial of a role hawk watches play in providing data on our hawk populations to the Hawk Migration Association

In the coming days we anticipate thousands more migratory hawks, eagles and falcons so stop by the hawk watch if you can! The celebration then continues next week with our annual Hawk Watch Fest on Saturday September 27 where visitors can enjoy special attractions including:
- Early morning bird walk co-lead by Bonner Black at 7 a.m.
-Live songbird banding with Birding In Connecticut author Frank Gallo at 8 a.m.
-Live Raptor Show by Christine's Critters Inc. at 11 a.m.
-Raptor Photography Talk by Lauren Hampton at 12 p.m.
-Live Music by Bonner Black at 1 p.m.
-Live Falconry Demonstration by Skyhunters In Flight at 2 p.m.
-Rehabilitated Hawk Release by Wildlife in Crisis, Inc. at 3:15 p.m.

Other ongoing activities include a Hawk Mini-Golf course by ESP Creative , an Optics Alley to try out and buy binoculars by ZEISS Birding, Vortex Optics, The Audubon Shop , food by Happiness Is Catering, Live reptiles by Teatown Lake Reservation and tables by local birding and conservation organizations including Bedford Audubon Society Connecticut Ornithological Association Sharon Audubon Center Berkshire Bird Observatory Lights Out Connecticut Greenwich Land Trust Abilis, Inc. and more!

To purchase tickets visit the link below!
https://www.audubon.org/greenwich/explore/hawk-watch-fest-greenwich-audubon-center