Broadwing Week

I’ll be spending each day this week on the mountain as it is “Broadwing Week”. Like clockwork, the week around the 18th of September is the week that the migration of the Broad-winged hawks peaks. Over the years, we’ve learned, however, that this magical week does not always apply to us on the summit of Bear Mountain. Yes, in the past we have had days during this time period in which literally hundreds of this species are seen in huge upward spirals in the sky called “kettles”. We can only hope that we will be treated to this spectacular sight once again this year. Last year, however, we had a very slow (all in caps!) year and the biggest kettle of broadwings we had was 6…not 600! Six!

But if you’re going to be a hawk watcher on Bear Mountain, you must remain optimistic and it is with a hopeful heart and eyes to the skies that we are here today.

Sharp-shinned hawk 9/16/25

One of the other hawk species that begins to make a showing up here on the mountain at this time of year is a small hawk called a “Sharp-shinned hawk”. This is one of a group of hawks known as Accipiters. Accipiters are a group of hawks known for their short, rounded wings and long tails, which make them highly agile in flight. These birds of prey are adept at maneuvering through dense forests, using their speed and stealth to catch smaller birds and mammals. Common species within this group include the Cooper’s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Their keen eyesight and swift hunting techniques make them efficient predators in wooded and suburban environments.

“Sharpies” as they are known by in birding circles are distinguished from the other prime accipiter the Cooper’s hawk by their smaller size, squared off tail and relatively small head. Their flight is typically “flap-flap-flap-glide”. If the wingbeat is so fast it is difficult to count the individual strokes, it is probably a “Sharpie”. We’ll be seeing more of these little gems in the near future, and we’ll keep our eyes peeled for their slightly larger cousins, the Cooper’s Hawks, as well.

Bald eagles at play 9/16/25

Other raptors in migration that we witnessed today were the Bald eagles. One group of 4 eagles that flew over our vantage point today included two juveniles. The juveniles are distinguished by their chocolate and white mottled appearance. They will not acquire the totally white head and tail until they are almost 5 years old. Like many youngsters, they seem to enjoy play much like the ravens of a recent post. These two were constantly engaged in sparring with one another as they flew by. Kids will be kids.

Adult Bald eagle

The adult seen above has the classic white head and tail. After cruising along the east shore of the Hudson for a short jaunt, it rose to join the rest of its party including those two rambunctious juveniles before heading south.

At the end of the day, we did enjoy the antics of the eagles, some nice fly-bys of ravens, and several migrating Sharp-shinned hawks….BUT, we failed to see a single Broad-winged hawk the entire day. We will return again tomorrow in the hopes of capturing a few images of some of the large kettles of hundreds of those hawks circling overhead. We’ll continue to watch for them….like any other game, you never make the shot you don’t take!