What a difference a sun makes

2 January 2010 Galveston- goshawks
What a difference a sun makes! We in Kemah have experienced since our arrival, 6 and one half days of pleasant weather, out of 25 days. So, with bright sun and our first trip to Galveston, just a drive through, I observed 2 different Northern goshawks, in flight, of course,
The first NG (observation time about 3 minutes) was at 9th Street and Harborside Dr. at 12:45 P.M. The hawk was soaring and flapping at about 400 feet elevation. This hawk was not long-winged nor short, stubby winged, therefor, I could not sex the bird.This hawk also had a very slightly rounded tail-tip, with no white terminal band. This accipiter may have been flying with another Goshawk, but by the time I pulled over to glass the hawk, the other possible NG had gone to ground or trees.
Please notice: I am not satisfied with just sexing and ageing Goshawks. The main reason that I track and chase Goshawks is to gather information on that (any) Goshawk, so as to get a more accurate concept of how many goshawks are in any particular area. Hint- were you to find 1 Goshawk - there are usually 2.

Then at 1:45 P.M. on FM3005 and 7 Mile Rd. (near the birding hot spots of Stewart Rd.), a male Goshawk was circling and gliding at about 400 feet elevation. This hawk was definitely a short, stubby -winged Goshawk.