Southbound Raptors – Jockey’s Ridge Hawk Watch
By Ranger Austin Paul
Jockey’s Ridge State Park completed its first official Hawk Watch this past fall. This is a seasonal research project coordinated through The Hawk Migration Association of North America. The purpose is to “advance scientific conservation of raptor populations through study, enjoyment, and appreciation of raptor migration.” Jockey’s is now a member of close to 200 other monitoring sites from Canada to Mexico who take part in the raptor migration study. Raptor count data, which includes hourly weather, raptor species observation totals, etc., is collected by each site and entered on hawkcount.org. Report info is then published by HMANA.
This information aids the Raptor Population Index (RPI) project. There are four main partners involved in the project, which include HMANA, Hawk
Mountain Sanctuary, HawkWatch International, and Bird Studies Canada. The purpose of the project is to gain accurate information on raptor populations across North America. “The vision of the RPI partners is to contribute to effective conservation of migratory raptors through continent-wide long-term monitoring of raptor migration, scientifically sound assessments of population status, and public outreach and education.” Information collected aids in understanding migration trends and in determining the status of bird species.
Not only are we assisting with collecting valuable information for researchers, but we hope to educate our visitors on birds of prey migration. We are building community relations with those living on the Outer Banks, regional neighbors, and visitors through volunteer services and public engagement.
The intent of the project here at Jockey’s is to also develop a greater appreciation for wildlife and conservation areas. Our first fall count started on October 21, 2020 and ran daily through November 20, 2020.
NC State Park’s North District Education Specialist Brian Bockhahn provided volunteer training on raptor identification and hawk count protocols over a two-day period. Basic ID tips were provided to our volunteer observers. Park Superintendent Joy Greenwood also assisted with the count. A total of 238 volunteer hours was recorded.
We established our monitoring site approximately 100 yards north of our Soundside access parking area. Our “perch” was situated directly off the Soundside Nature Trail. Hikers were invited to stop in and learn more about the project. We experienced some exciting moments, which included almost twenty individual sightings of the fastest animal on Earth, the peregrine falcon. Our group observed several sharp-shinned hawks dive bomb our owl decoy, which was installed above the site to attract birds.
An informational panel focusing on the project and how individuals can become involved is being designed. The panel will be installed near the monitoring site along the nature trail. Information collected including photos and videos from this and future counts will be added to park educational programming. A high-quality viewing scope and tripod were recently purchased by the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge. This equipment will greatly enhance viewing capabilities and species identification.
A spring Hawk Watch will occur mid-March 2021. If you have an interest in volunteering or simply want to join us during future counts, please email austin.paul@ncparks.gov for details. Species count totals collected by all monitoring sites can be viewed by going to hawkcount.org. Some of the information noted within this article was obtained through hawkcount.org and rpi-project.org. We hope you will join us in the spring.
“Anyone who has ever stopped to watch a hawk in flight will know that this is one of the natural world’s most elegant phenomena.” – John Burnside
Pictured above: Park Ranger Austin Paul watching for wildlife using the park’s new spotting scope. The new spotting scope was funded by donations to Friends of Jockey’s Ridge.
