tip- naked eye

Learn (practice) observing raptors naked eye. Again, we are talking raptors in flight. If you don't know a bird, then you don't know it! The closer you get to a bird that you don't know, then the additional information you are gathering is in most cases leading you or stringing you out, into an area of even more indecision. I was referring mainly to passerines, or possibly shore birds. So, why waste yer time trying to pull something out of that raptor in flight when you have decided that you do not know that particular hawk. Instead- Lower yer binos and observe naked eye.
As most hawk watchers understand- the best way to cover lots of sky and in a small amount of time is by going naked eye. Binos can certainly be used for scanning deep into the sky and picking out hawks that are so far off that they cannot be observed naked eye. And in some cases (depending on the species), that hawk can be identified, particularly if the hawk is a Goshawk, or an Osprey.
OK, look at this situation: you are driving down the highway, or you are a passenger, a raptor is soaring out there. By the time you pull over to observe, or get out of the vehicle and try and find the hawk, well, many times the hawk is not to be seen. One of the best ways to find and observe raptors perched and in flight is by driving many miles and observing, of course naked eye. Then when stopped, up come the binos. This is the same concept you should use when hunting for Goshawks from a rotating- revolving hawk watch. You want to have as much of a panoramic view as possible. A rotating watch means you gain views in all directions. A revolving hawk watch site works in conjunction with all your other sites. You move to additional sites in order to cover areas that your limited visual acuity cannot cover. The same principle applies to when you are looking for meteorites on open flat terrain and are using electronic devices- you must cover as much ground as possible. So you hook your device to a jeep or ATV and cover ground that way instead of making it on foot. So- curb the urge to be constantly "peeking" through a scope or binoculars.

Yet another goshawk sighting

22 January- 11:15 A.M.- Seabrooke (146 and El Mar Ln.)

Oh my! What are the big mouths of the birding communities thinking now. The many who belong to a birding band of good old guys, and gals. The ones who have never been in the field with me, yet have demonized me: Notice, no question mark.
1 female goshawk- at 200 feet elevation. In a glide the hawk showed pointed wing tips. This was a long winged accipiter. And was the size of a Red- tailed Hawk.

Another NG sighting - Kemah

19 January- 1 NG soaring at 300 feet elevation. Observation time 5-6 minutes. This bird was probably female. It was not long winged, yet not short winged. I observed, for 2 seconds, the ventral area - this area was of a silvery- gray hue, however, the chest and belly had a red cast or patina, over the gray chest and belly. This is a rare condition exhibited by mature male and female NG. The hawk was over the Birding Sanctuary Community - Clear Lake Shores. This hawk was not the same NG that I observed yesterday. That NG was female (very long winged). Also, yesterday's NG had a pearly-gray chest and belly. Also, yesterday' s NG did not have this: a white feather (or 2) on each upper wing. These white feathers were probably primary or secondary feathers.
Do you understand why I am not satisfied with just identifying the species, and not satisfied with just ageing and/or sexing the hawk? This is why I chase Goshawks (across flat areas of land, by truck, bike, and on foot: to gather more information. And this is the big advantage I have over any official hawk watch site. I am not trapping myself, I am not allowing myself to be pinned to stationary position.

Birding Boot Licker

A birder from Pennsylvania has worked with Frank Gill. This birder has recently posted on listservers what a great guy and a great birder is Frank Gill. If the birder continues to boot lick and drop names, then he will gain more recognition and friends.

Mature female Goshawk

18 January-2010 2 P.M. Kemah
1 mature female NG. Finally, I was able to sex and age a NG in Kemah area. The accipiter was soaring at about 300 feet elevation. The size, shape, long tail, long wings, wing movement and other factors screamed " Goshawk". The chest and belly was silver-gray- meaning mature. Location: Over the Birding Sanctuary Community of Clear Lake Shore- adjoining Kemah. The NG went to ground or trees. Observation time- 2 minutes. Bright sun-steady wind at 10-15 miles per hour- many clouds.

Goshawks of Houston

My many sightings of Goshawks in Kemah, and my single sightings in other areas- which might be called by goshawks as "nearby", even though they are 5 miles apart- such as the Houston Cruise Line and the Bacliff area, do not suggest that there are 3 female and 1 male in this contiguous area. I have never been able to get into position where I was beneath the hawk in order to observe the tail-tip shape nor the width of the terminal band. With information from these 2 factors, I can form an opinion as to how many NG are in the Kemah area. As it stands now, I know the NG observed in Bacliff was mature female, but this is not enough information relating to the total picture. It is possible that there are 3 different mature female NG!

female gos- Kemah

11 January- 11 A.M. Kemah
1 female NG- 50 pigeons lifted, but did not get much higher than the tall roof top. The pigeons seemed to panic and split- one group turned in the other direction. I use pigeons and doves as an indicator of the sign of falcons and accipiters. Well behind and above the pigeons was a female NG heading toward the pigeons and me. The hawk was coming from the birding sanctuary community of Clear Lake Shores ( Jarboe Bayou). The hawk was soaring and flapping, circling, and climbing to 400 feet elevation, from 300 feet elevation. Observation time 5 minutes. The sun was bright. This accipiter was typical Goshawk- soaring as a Red-tailed hawk can soar!
Also- 1 female Goshawk- same location at 2 P.M.
The hawk was in straight -away flight at 200 feet elevation. The hawk was heading toward Walmart on 518. Observation time about 2 minutes. The hawk was too far off to attempt to photograph.