Carter Hill Raptor Observatory
Fall 2012
Final Report
Broad-winged Hawk by Jen Esten
Compiled by Katrina Fenton, Volunteer,
and
Phil Brown, Site Coordinator, NH Audubon
History & Mission
The Carter Hill Raptor Observatory was founded by New Hampshire Audubon (NHA) in 2008
after being discovered as a good place to watch migrating hawks by local birders, Bob Quinn, Joe
Quinn, and Rob Woodward the previous fall. A follow-up visit by NHA staff sparked interest in
establishing a hawk watch at this location because of its impressive views from an observation
platform, combined with its proximity to NHA‟s Concord headquarters and the high potential for
outreach to the public. Carter Hill Orchard owner, Rob Larocque, willingly agreed with the request, and
the partnership between NHA and the Orchard, a pick-your-own location in Concord, NH was founded.
Since the fall of 2008, tens of thousands of visitors have spent time at the raptor observation platform
and have had the chance to interact with NHA staff and volunteers and learn about raptor migration.
NHA‟s stated mission is to protect New Hampshire‟s natural environment for wildlife and
people, and it fulfills this role at the Observatory through both raptor migration research and
educational outreach. Raptor and weather data that are taken by volunteers and staff are entered on
HawkCount.org, an international hawk migration database run by the Hawk Migration Association of
North America (HMANA), where it contributes to a larger understanding of raptor migration.
Education is presented informally each day, with volunteers doing the bulk of the outreach. Staff
programs and periodic special events are another component of the educational project.
The autumn view to the north from the Carter Hill Raptor Observatory platform. Photo by Tom Brewton
The 2012 Season
This fall migration season at Carter Hill Observatory was unique in many ways, from the lack of
one “official counter”, to a record amount of hours logged, to the diversity of birds observed. Record
numbers were posted for fourteen of the sixteen species counted this season, including a site-first Black
Vulture. The raptors weren't alone in the skies – thousands of other migrants crossed over the orchard,
including individuals from the avian, insect, and mammalian worlds. The drama of life was played out
as dragonfly fed songbird and songbird fed Accipiter. All while the site‟s growing cadre of human
visitors enjoyed, experienced, and awed at the seasonal spectacles unfolding before their eyes, day after
day. Visitation to the hawk watch platform itself totaled well over 3,000 for the season, with far greater
numbers aware of the education and research efforts through visiting the host location, Carter Hill
Orchard.
This was the Observatory‟s fifth consecutive season functioning as a hawkwatch of New
Hampshire Audubon (NHA). Through each of its first five seasons, the site has grown and evolved.
This season, in particular, saw a dramatic rise in the number of hours invested at the site, as a core
group of Carter Hill faithful has flourished. But the season was not without its challenges. Past official
counter since the project‟s inception, Robert Vallieres, was unexpectedly prevented from leading the
count, but he was able to return as a regular observer for much of the season. A host of volunteers rose
to the challenge of ensuring the site would receive full coverage, ultimately combining for a total of
417.75 hours from September 1st until November 20th. This hourly total is a significant increase from
the past season high of 326 observation hours tallied in 2011. A total of 7,142 individuals of 16 species
of raptors (including vultures, for our purposes) were tallied during the 2012 season. This is the secondhighest total raptor count in the site‟s five years, and almost all species set single-season records.
Raptors included, an impressive total of 101 bird species were observed throughout the course of the
season from or below the raptor observation platform.
The official count period at Carter Hill runs from September 1st to October 31st. The 2012
season was the first to document more than casual observations late into the month of November, a
time frame that can contribute important insight into understanding the complete picture of the fall
migratory season. Among the notable results was the demonstration for a strong case for continuing this
extended coverage – a theme that has been elaborated on further in the 2012 final report for Pack
Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory, which is also operated by NHA.
Hourly totals were collected for each species, as well as details on the weather such as wind
speed, wind direction, temperature, visibility, precipitation, and cloud cover. This season, a much
broader effort was made to record non-raptor migrants and the number of visitors who come to the
observatory. As mentioned prior, data are collected following HMANA protocol and are submitted to
HawkCount.org, where they contribute to a larger dataset, available for in-depth analysis beyond what
is covered in both this report and by NHA in its own analysis of raptor migration trends. Complete
hourly results and daily reports are available to readers at this website.
Finally, it is our pleasure to provide you with this document for the first time in the site‟s young
history. Our first written final report that documents the hawk watching season is now a reality, and we
hope to continue this momentum as we move forward and continue to become established as one of the
more recognized hawk watches in northern New England.
Education and Outreach
The platform at Carter Hill is situated right in the middle of Carter Hill Orchard – a position that
provides the opportunity to introduce hundreds of visitors to hawkwatching every season. Over 3,000
visitors were recorded this fall, but the actual number of people who experienced the hawkwatch was
far greater as there were quite a few days when visitor totals were not recorded. Most visitors come to
the platform as apple-pickers and sight-seers, but many leave as hawkwatchers, learning about
everything from the finer points of Accipiter identification to the conservation status of various species.
Kids and adults alike get lost in the beauty of a bald eagle soaring overhead or the seemingly endless
parade of broad-wingeds and sharp-shinneds across September skies. Even the bulky shape of a local
red-tailed perched across the field is often enough to inspire people to return. NHA provides loaner
binoculars for guests, and educational materials both for sale and for display. Knowledgeable
volunteers are always ready to point out a bird or answer any raptor quandaries.
The Carter Hill Raptor Observatory was founded by NHA with a strong educational mission that
grows every year. School groups are a regular sight at the orchard, and, together with our partner,
Project SEE, NHA coordinates a hands-on education program on raptors for local fourth grade classes
each fall that culminates in a field trip to the hawkwatch. This year their visit coincided with the busiest
day of the season, September 20th, as 1,259 raptors poured through the skies. All 200+ students were
treated to raptors when they visited the platform, as well as live bird demonstrations and programs in
other parts of the Orchard. Other groups from kindergardeners to high-schoolers to international tourists
to local garden clubs found their way to the Observatory, where they not only learned about raptors, but
also contributed to the success of the count by effectively becoming observers themselves.
View of apple pickers and orchard below. Photo by Phil Brown
The most popular public event on the project‟s annual calendar is the Raptor Release event,
which occurred this fall on September 16th. On this day, a rehabilitated immature Cooper's hawk –
which was nursed back to health by Maria Colby of Wings of Dawn in Henniker, NH – was brought to
the Orchard to be returned to the wild. Some 500+ people visited the hawkwatch, 250 of whom
remained for the release. Thanks in part to excellent press coverage and by word of mouth, this event
continues to attract visitors from far and wide, sparking interest in raptors and providing an opportunity
for people to witness firsthand a hawk beginning its long migratory journey. There is potential in the
future to perform multiple releases in a season, and judging from the successes of past experiences, this
will be an excellent way to involve even more people in the world of hawkwatching and conservation.
Robert Vallieres with Cooper‟s Hawk, and Mike Bartlett, President of NH Audubon, looking on. Photo by Jen Esten
Specially-trained volunteers, particularly, Robert Vallieres, sometimes brings live birds from
NHA's McLane Center to give people a closer look at the species that pass overhead NH each fall.
These injured „ambassador birds‟ – incapable of ever being released into the wild themselves – never
fail to generate excitement. This was particularly true this season on the day when Robert was able to
bring the bald eagle for the first time. A bird in the hand gets people looking to the skies, and the birds
themselves often acted as observers, keying in on their wild relatives high overhead. Look for these
programs again in the coming season on key weekend dates.
Other events included participation in the International Big Sit, an annual bird-counting event,
on which Katrina Fenton counted only two species at Carter Hill in 2012 due to the poor weather. In
addition, an indoor/outdoor raptor identification workshop was again provided by Phil Brown to new
and veteran hawk watchers on site, and NHA anticipates offering more of these programs next year.
Results
Over the course of the fall, 7,142 raptors of 16 species were counted migrating past Carter Hill,
7,046 of them in the official count period of September 1st to October 31st. The additional 96 birds
counted in the 46.25 hour logged in November may not seem too significant when looking at overall
numbers, but they accounted for the only rough-legged hawks, among a few other notable species and
numbers. The site‟s first record of a black vulture came through on September 21st, making history as
the first of its kind to be observed in the entirety of Concord! Two golden eagles were also observed,
the highest season total for this species in the five years of hawk watching at the Observatory.
Many raptor species showed a record increase over previous seasons‟ numbers, and MOST
species set new season records in 2012. There are several factors that this may be attributed to, and
analysis of a single season of migration cannot be used on its own to make accurate determinations
about actual population size of species. Still, some observations about this season can be made. The
2012 season had more observers scanning the skies, and far more hours were logged this year (418)
than any past season. Observer hours have grown consistently at the Observatory each of the past four
years. As observer experience builds, individuals have become more adept at finding and identifying
birds, a trend that we hope to carry into future seasons.
With the exception of a couple of significant weather events, including Hurricane Sandy in late
October, which shut down migration – and the hawk watch – for several days, there were generally
excellent weather conditions for migrants for much of the count. The first part of October, when most
species reached their peaks, was notable. Also, many raptor populations are holding steady or on the
rise, and we should continue to expect bald eagle, Cooper's hawk, peregrine falcon, and turkey vulture
numbers to grow. For other species like the American kestrel and Northern harrier, which are both in
decline, their heightened numbers could reflect a good flight year where conditions were potentially
favorable on breeding grounds, or, for simply ushering more birds than usual over the Observatory. The
overall season total was lower than 2011‟s record season as fewer broad-winged hawks were tallied, but
it was still an above-average count.
Species Accounts
The following species accounts show the total number or birds during the official count period
of September 1 to October 31, 2012. Daily high count totals are also listed. Numbers followed by an
asterisk indicate new high counts for the Observatory. November totals are listed separately.
Volunteer, Katrina Fenton, duly noting everything and anything with wings. Photo by Tom Brewton
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
Season Total: 1 (September 21) * 1st Site Record
The site‟s first – and, as it turned out, Concord‟s first – black vulture was spotted by Phil Brown
as it soared with two turkey vultures on a hazy late September afternoon. Sam Lewis and Bob Quinn
were also on hand, and Bob, who has a lifelong passion of studying birds in Concord, had excellent
timing, arriving just in time to observe a few of the vulture‟s characteristic quick flaps. Though it
appeared that this flight strategy would bring the bird nowhere on such a soupy day, the three vultures
were indeed migrating along a southwestern trajectory typical of the vultures seen from Carter Hill. The
sighting of a black vulture is still cause for excitement among New Hampshire‟s birding community,
but with this species‟ northward expansion, it may only be a number of years before this bird becomes a
regular visitor to the hawk watch.
Black (left) and turkey (right) vultures. Photo by Phil Brown
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Season Total: 223 High Count: 95 (Oct. 9)*
The classic “V” of a turkey vulture's dihedral was a frequent sight teeter-tottering over the
hawkwatch. Local birds made their daily appearances through the first half of the season, their numbers
augmented, then replaced by migrants. The peak of migration occurred between Oct. 5th and Oct. 13th
with 145 turkey vultures counted. Two sizable kettles were observed on 10/9, one of 45 birds, clouding
a thermal like giant, melanistic broad-winged hawks. The rather ghastly appearance of a close perched
turkey vulture is lost when the bird becomes airborne, transforming into a master soarer capable of
riding the faintest puff of breeze or stiffly-blowing gale with equal grace. Turkey vultures continue to
expand their range northward through New England and beyond every year.
Osprey (Pandion haliaeetus)
Season Total: 234* High Count: 50 (Oct. 5)*
One of the most readily identifiable birds at the hawkwatch, the osprey, made a strong showing
this season. Both the Contoocook River and Long Pond (Penacook Lake) lie in close proximity to the
site and probably serve as corridors for this species, which often represented the first raptor in the
morning and the last in the evening from the platform. The first wave of osprey pushed through on
September 21st with 23 birds counted. Migration peaked between October 2nd and October 7th, with 100
moving through during this time frame. Since the DDT era, the osprey has experienced an amazing
resurgence, and evidence indicates they are even more plentiful in some parts of their range than they
historically were so. A few times, an osprey was observed carrying fish past the site, “packing a lunch”.
Osprey in flight. Photo by Phil Brown
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Season Total: 150* High Count: 12 (Sep. 18) November – 2
On October 7th, Carter Hill reached a milestone, becoming the first New Hampshire hawkwatch
to reach 100 Bald Eagles in a season. No one could have guessed at that point that number would end
up being only two-thirds of the season total. Few days went by without an eagle, and days of several
individuals were commonplace. Oftentimes, multiple eagles could be seen flying together, pairs of
youngsters, adult birds, or mixed groups gliding south. Another rampant success story of the raptor
world, eagles may be returning as breeding birds more quickly than any other species of raptor. The
bald eagle continues to recover as the years pass from its recent removal from the federal endangered
species list, and it continues to be „downgraded‟ from the most-threatened species it used to reside
among. The sight of an eagle never failed to bring out the hawkwatcher in anyone who saw one.
Included in the lucky observers were hoardes of Concord 4th graders one particularly memorable day.
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Season Total: 86* High Count: 15 (Oct. 9)*
When watching a Northern harrier leisurely work a patch of Phragmites in a coastal habitat, one
might not peg this graceful, long-winged raptor as being champion migrants. Their buoyant flights and
exaggerated wing beats make them appear more like giant butterflies than like raptors. From a
hawkwatch, they show their true mettle: long-tailed pin dots impossibly high overhead, determined
flyers powering on past the sunset when everything else has gone to roost. This season provided many
memorable sightings, from a pair riding a nearby thermal to the last bird of the day on the Big Sit, one
of only two raptor species observed during this particular year‟s International Big Sit.
Northern harrier. Photo by Katrina Fenton
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipeter striatus)
Season Total: 1267* High Count: 166 (Oct. 5)* November – 9
The ubiquitous sharp-shinned hawk, frequenter of backyard feeding stations and woodland
edges, could well be called the lifeblood of the site. Only the broad-winged hawk posted higher
numbers, but, unlike their Buteo cousin, sharp-shinneds make up for the discrepancy by passing
overhead throughout the entire season. You can always count on a sharpie to come through when
nothing else is flying, or to lend excitement on a slow day with its pestering antics, dive-bombing larger
birds and other sharp-shinneds with reckless abandon. If there is another bird in the sky, it seems a
sharp-shinned can't help itself from bothering him. The local passerines didn't escape unscathed, either,
and during the height of sharp-shinned migration, hunting forays into the forest edges were a frequent
sight. Migration peaked with an amazing 573 birds coming through between October 2nd and October
13th. On October 5th, conditions were perfect, with record numbers of several species. The 166 sharpshinned hawks counted on that date may well be a record high daily count for the entire state!
Cooper's Hawk (Accipeter cooperii)
Season Total: 197* High Count: 21(Oct. 5)*
November – 10
The sharp-shinned hawk's big cousin, the Cooper's hawk, has been enjoying an expanding range
as it colonizes cities and capitalizes on backyard birds and even smaller raptors. Much of the discussion
at the hawkwatch centered on the finer points of separating between Accipiter species, and the 207
Cooper's hawks that came through provided case and point studies with varying degrees of
effectiveness. Though they have a bit of a reputation for poaching backyard chickens, Cooper's hawks
tended to stay out of the limelight at Carter Hill Raptor Observatory, their understated elegance only
truly appreciated by those lucky enough to be caught up in the blue hood and orange gaze of an adult
cruising past at eye level.
Robert Vallieres with rehabilitated Cooper‟s Hawk. Photo by Jen Esten
Northern Goshawk (Accipeter gentilis)
Season Total: 26* High Count: 4 (Oct. 25) ties previous high
November – 2
The Northern goshawk is the world's largest Accipiter. This denizen of North American and
European forests has long been admired and prized for its fearless determination in defending its nest
and on the hunt. Whenever goshawks were mentioned, Robert Vallieres was prepared with visual aids
for visitors to the platform and showed a photo and audio recording of his memorable encounter with a
nesting pair of goshawks, an emphatic, “kek, kek, kek!” ringing from the tape player. Every fiber of a
Northern goshawk expresses power, from its muscular-looking body to its long, thick tail, to its broad,
rounded wings. Northern goshawks are a classic late season migrant, with most birds counted in the
second half of October. Many observers were fortunate enough to enjoy good looks this season.
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
Season Total: 93* High Count: 23 (Oct. 25)* November – 7
The jump in numbers of the red-shouldered hawk from prior seasons was certainly notable.
Some of this may have been partly due to an increased familiarity with the species among this year‟s
counters. The vast majority of the red-shoudereds counted came through in October, with only 14 of the
100 birds counted in either September or November. Red-shouldereds are arguably one of the most
beautiful raptors in the Northeast, more streamlined and delicately proportioned than the larger redtailed hawk. An adult red-shouldered hawk in good lighting shines like a mosaic of garnets, onyx, and
quartz, with a rusty blush through the breast and a strikingly barred tail. Red-shouldereds begin their
migration later than many species, younger birds beginning to come through towards the end of broadwinged migration, with most of the adults showing up later in October, when comparisons with redtailed hawks are easy to find on many days.
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
Season Total: 3671 High Count: 1130 (Sept. 20)
Just as it does for the annual „running of the bulls‟ in Pamplona, anticipation runs high for the
annual flight of the broad-wings in the Northeast US. The relatively-small, reclusive Buteo keep a low
profile for most of the year, but come migration, broad-winged hawks pour out of the woods and forest
edges of the US and Canada, destined for South America. Who can forget their first large „kettle‟, a
dance of swirling hawks marking the space of an invisible thermal? 2012 brought the second highest
broad-winged hawk numbers recorded for Carter Hill, but there were no historically massive flights
comparable to last season‟s. Migration peaked between Sept. 16th and Sept. 22nd, with 2,414 birds
counted, 1,130 of them on a single day for the third highest daily total on record for the site. Mark your
calendars accordingly to catch the spectacle of squadrons of broad-wingeds marching across the sky!
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Season Total: 273* High Count: 29 (Oct. 24)*
November – 40
This common roadside Buteo represented the fourth most abundant species of this season. Local
birds found good hunting in the orchard, as did a few of the migrants, some of which temporarily
suspended their travel plans to forage for hours – or days. Separating true migrants from “locals” in
mid-October when many of the birds are moving through was a challenge both loved and loathed by the
regular observers, but a form of late-season excitement, nonetheless. The young red-tails that come
through earlier in the month seem to take delight in tormenting turkey vultures, fulfilling the roles
usually reserved only for merlins and sharp-shinned hawks.
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
Season Total: 2* High Count: 1 (Nov. 2, Nov. 9)
A bird of the far northern tundra, the rough-legged hawk has already traveled farther than nearly
any other raptor by the time it crosses into New Hampshire. There had only been a couple of records for
this species for Carter Hill prior to this season, and this was the first year where multiple birds (2) were
counted. The first bird, spotted by Crawford Lyons on November 2nd, was a light-morph bird, was
spotted flying south along Long Pond. The second, seen again by Crawford, as well as Tom Brewton,
came through on November 9th and appeared to be an immature dark-phase bird. A rough-legged hawk
is among the season‟s finest rewards for braving the sometimes harsh November hawk watching
conditions of northern New England; kudos for Crawford and Tom for sticking it out!
Golden Eagle (Aquila crysaetos)
Season Total: 2* High Count: 1 (Oct. 6, Oct. 16)
Golden Eagle – that enigma of October, the bird foremost on the mind as soon as the first wave
of October crispness tastes the air as the broad-wing push winds to a close. A nearly-annual species for
the site, this was the first season boasting more than one individual. Both birds were adults; the first
was spotted on the relatively early date of October 6th, and the second followed 10 days later. However,
Carter Hill appears to see fewer numbers of goldens than many Northeast hawk watch sites, particularly
those to our west. Geography channels most birds well to the west and the few spillovers from a
relatively small Gaspe, Quebec population most likely represent the individuals coming our way.
There is something in a golden eagle that inspires us – its dark, long-winged elegance, the subtle
sheen of the golden hackles at its nape, the way it moves through the frosty autumn air as effortlessly as
a snowflake, yet with the command of a frigate. No other bird is as hoped for, wished for with the first
breath of winter and changing of the leaves.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Season Total: 305* High Count: 45 (Oct. 5)*
Tiny, energetic, and colorful…there are many words to describe the American kestrel. In many
ways, New Hampshire‟s smallest diurnal raptor more closely resembles a swallow than a raptor. An
ample supply of dragonflies fuels many of the passing kestrels as they hunted on the wing, their
acrobatics on full display for anyone watching below. The season total for 2012 is well more than twice
the average for this species, which is encouraging for a species in decline, but one year's dataset is not
enough of a base for drawing conclusions. The three highest daily totals for the site were recorded this
year, 18 on September 20th, 45 on October 5th, and 28 on October 9th.
American Kestrel. Photo by Katrina Fenton
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Season Total: 65* High Count: 6 (Oct. 9) November – 1
Our small, dark, “chocolate falcon” moves with purpose, often disappearing behind the horizon
before someone can call out “merlin!” There is often a merlin somewhere in sight during early October
that will perch and preen from a maple snag, a fluffy little character bearing little resemblance to the
razor-edged hunter notorious for harassing anything in the sky. Most merlins are observed in the “falcon
hour” during the second half of the afternoon, zipping low over the trees. During midday, when lift is at
its greatest, any merlins appear minute and distant as aerodynamic flecks diving on slightly more
visible specks with the characteristic speed of a falcon. As the merlin becomes a more common
breeding bird throughout New England, it will be worth attempting to discern migrants from potentially
„local‟ breeders that might linger later into the migratory period.
Merlin. Photo by Katrina Fenton
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Season Total: 44* High Count: 9 (Oct. 5)* November – 1
Peregrines and wind – one could almost wonder if one could exist without the other. Few birds
will move in a stiff headwind, but peregrines seem to relish it. There are few birders who do not have
peregrine stories, and many will tell of how this charismatic species was influential in sparking an
interest in birds. What schoolchild will not tell of a peregrine's legendary speed? 160, maybe 200 miles
per hours! Maybe faster. In a dive, pumping into the teeth of a gale, or even in a full soar, peregrines are
a sight to behold. A daily record or nine peregrines was observed on October 5th this season, four more
than the previous daily high count. Peregrines have been making a resurgence in the Northeast since the
banning of DDT and have, like the bald eagle, been removed from the federal endangered species list.
Table 1: Non-raptor bird species
The following shows, species by species of non-raptor, the number of days tallied and highest daily
totals – in parentheses – during a selection of days during the months of September and October, 2012.
This reflects a sample of days in September and October when documentation of all species was made
and is not necessarily a complete tally for the full count period of September 1st - October 31st. A total
of 101 species, including raptors, were observed over the course of the season.
Species
Scientific Name
Number of days tallied Number of days tallied
in September - with
in October - with
highest daily count in ( ) highest daily count in ( )
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Black Scoter
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Solitary Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
„Traill‟s‟ (Alder/Willow) Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
(Chen caerulescens)
(Branta canadensis)
(Anas rubripes)
(Anas platyrhynchos)
(Aythya collaris)
(Melanitta americana)
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
(Mergus merganser)
(Gavia immer)
(Phalacrocorax auritus)
(Ardea herodias)
(Tringa solitaria)
(Larus delawarensis)
(Larus argentatus)
(Larus maritimus)
(Columba livia)
(Zenaida macroura)
(Chordeiles minor)
(Chaetura pelagica)
(Archilochus colubris)
(Megaceryle alcyon)
(Melanerpes carolinus)
(Sphyrapicus varius)
(Picoides pubescens)
(Picoides villosus)
(Colaptes auratus)
(Dryocopus pileatus)
(Contopus virens)
(Sayornis phoebe)
(Empidonax sp.)
(Vireo solitarius)
(Vireo olivaceus)
(Cyanocitta cristata)
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
(Corvus corax)
(Hirundo rustica)
(Poecile atricapillus)
(Baeolophus bicolor)
(Sitta canadensis)
(Sitta carolinensis)
(Regulus satrapa)
(Regulus calendula)
(Sialia sialis)
(Catharus ustulatus)
(Turdus migratorius)
3
4
1
3
5
2
1
3
1
3
11
4
3
6
3
7
12
8
2
9
1
2
1
12
9
9
1
10
3
2
4
9
8
(120)
(5)
(4)
(1)
(22)
(1)
(1)
(10)
(1)
(12)
(2)
(10)
(8)
(12)
(1)
(2)
(13)
(1)
(1)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(93)
(7)
(10)
(8)
(5)
x
(1)
(3)
(7)
x
2
15
5
3
1
2
1
4
3
1
1
1
6
4
1
2
5
5
8
11
2
5
2
1
14
11
14
10
6
3
4
3
3
11
1
12
(1)
(537)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(20)
(3)
(4)
(40)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(16)
(18)
(1)
(1)
(3)
(1)
(1)
(8)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(72)
(875)
(5)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(2)
x
(1)
(9)
(1)
(88)
Gray Catbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Snow Bunting
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
American Tree Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow
(Dumetella carolinensis)
(Sturnus vulgaris)
(Anthus rubescens)
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
(Plectrophenax nivalis)
(Seiurus aurocapilla)
(Geothlypis trichas)
(Setophaga americana)
(Setophaga striata)
(Setophaga caerulescens)
(Setophaga palmarum)
(Setophaga pinus)
(Setophaga coronata
(Setophaga virens)
(Spizella arborea)
(Spizella pallida)
(Spizella passerina)
(Spizella pusilla)
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
(Melospiza melodia)
(Melospiza lincolnii)
(Melospiza georgiana)
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
(Junco hyemalis)
(Piranga olivacea)
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
(Passerina cyanea)
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
(Euphagus carolinus)
(Quiscalus quiscula)
(Icterus galbula)
(Haemorhous purpureus)
(Haemorhous mexicanus)
(Loxia curvirostra)
(Loxia leucoptera)
(Spinus pinus)
(Spinus tristis)
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
(Passer domesticus)
6
2
1
12
2
1
2
5
1
3
9
4
3
11
2
3
6
4
4
2
7
2
1
9
3
3
11
-
(1)
(3)
(2)
(55)
(1)
(1)
(1)
x
(1)
(2)
(1)
x
(1)
(70)
(1)
(1)
(6)
x
(3)
(1)
(2)
3
(1)
(8)
(4)
(30)
(29)
3
4
5
5
2
2
2
8
11
1
1
12
3
6
10
4
6
12
7
12
5
3
1
2
1
9
7
1
1
14
12
1
1
(2)
(9)
(9)
(7)
(5)
(2)
x
x
x
(1)
(1)
x
(3)
(12)
(25)
(6)
(12)
(200)
(12)
x
(2)
(3)
(4)
(1)
(2)
(4)
x
(3)
(12)
(66)
(25)
(3)
(2)
Acknowledgements
Not enough can be said for the tremendous efforts for the Carter Hill team of volunteers this
season, many of whom committed time each week to ensure the site had full coverage. Phil Brown,
Katrina Fenton, Lynnea Koester, Crawford Lyons, Steven Manifold, Aiden Moser, Bob Quinn, Mark
Timmerman, and Henry Walters all stepped up to count for blocks of time each week, returning to the
site in between times to help with an extra pair of eyes. There was also the lunch hour crowd – local
birders who came when they could – spending their time scanning the heavens for winged migrants.
Numerous others deserve thanks for their company and help this season: Alan Bostick, Kathleen
Brockett, Zeke Cornell, Dick DeSeve, Ann Hadshi, Pam Hunt, Lisa LaPierre, Sam and Veronica Lewis,
Cliff Otto, Bob Quinn, Joe Quinn, Jane Williamson, NHA support staff, and everyone else who
contributed to the site either through financially support or lent eyes to spot raptors.
A few notes about some of the regulars: Tom Brewton spent most of his fall mornings at the
hawkwatch, bringing his classic dry sense of humor and knowledge of the Site's history with him. Steve
Manifold counted and volunteered regularly, bringing cocoa and a smile on many chilly days. Mark
Timmerman filled in many hours that might have gone uncovered, drawing in birds and reinforcing the
troops with Lindt chocolate bars lightly sprinkled with sea salt. Aiden Moser, a home-schooled 12-yearold with excellent eyes and ears, was Monday‟s official counter, filling in with the prowess of a
seasoned veteran. His patient, supportive, and astute mother, Lynnea Koester, brought him to the site as
often as she could, lending her eyes and time to the Observatory, and the duo well represented NHA ‟s
mission exceptionally well. Crawford Lyons contributed his speck-finding powers and jovial
personality, his good-luck weatherbeaten jacket and trademark duct-taped tennis shoes the most
frequent sightings of the season, and he probably logged more hours at the Site than anyone, providing
coverage well into November. Henry Walters, official counter at Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration
Observatory, spent his day off counting at Carter Hill, and along with Katrina Fenton, stepped up to
help fill Robert‟s big shoes with his expertise. Phil Brown, Site Coordinator of both of NH Audubon‟s
raptor observatories, volunteered most Fridays and when he had a free block of time. Phil and Katrina
shared data entry duties, as well, Katrina, the Official Counter on Sundays and Thursdays, deserves an
extra special thanks for, among many things this season, making this final report a reality.
The clear highlight in the eyes of many of the regulars this season was that of Robert Vallieres'
strong return to the platform – his recovery growing with the season total. Robert's leadership,
infectious enthusiasm for sharing raptor migration with others, and passion for all things raptors carried
through despite his inability to attend on a daily basis, and he inspired many. Thank you, Robert!
We are grateful to our community sponsor, the Lincoln Financial Foundation, for their continued
financial support of the education and outreach efforts at Carter Hill; to Boloco Burritos for donations,
and to all other business partners. Finally, a huge thank you to our host, Carter Hill Orchard, for making
this location a possibility and providing individuals, families, and groups with whom NHA could reach
with the message and miracle of raptor migration. This season could not have been what it was without
the efforts of all mentioned above. We look forward to another wonderful season with you all in 2013!
Volunteer, Robert Vallieres – the „Heart‟ of the Carter Hill Raptor Observatory. Photo by Stephen Manifold