hunting for goshawks

When hunting for goshawks, position is of utmost importance. It's position, position, position. It is not habitat, or location. If you wish to use habitat, or call a particular area a particular habitat, well , that is up to you and your definitions. OK- so you are in a particular habitat, but within that habitat, position, position, position is of primary importance. Reminder- Goshawks are not "habitat conscious" - they are "prey conscious." Goshawks obtain their knowledge of prey by perusing the landscape (whatever name you wish to call that landscape) by cruising at average altitude 150-200 feet elevation, (or higher). Just by gaining some altitude, such as "taking the high ground" of high school bleachers, or the I-10 and South Kolb Road overpass in Tucson, you will be practicing- finding an ideal position for that particular area!

The problem with getting up into stadium bleachers is that you are trapping yourself. In order to chase that hawk (if you wish), to get under that hawk for a full -silhouette photograph, or to get more information on that particular hawk- such as: shape of tail-tip; description of terminal band; age and/or sex of bird; you will have to descend the bleachers, hop on your bike, or make it out of the parking lot to get to your vehicle. At times, you will be lucky and be able to spot that raptor yet in flight. But, will probably not catch up with the hawk, as it will always be well ahead of you. It is also possible the hawk will go to perch, and you may get lucky as you keep your focus on all telephone poles and tall snags! And this act of being trapped is one of the main reasons why birders are not aware of the commonality of Goshawks. BIRDERS are always (with intent) TRAPPING THEMSELVES.