The Sandy Hook Migration Watch, funded and run by the Sandy Hook
Bird Observatory of the New Jersey Audubon Society, takes place
at the Observation Deck near the North Pond at the northern tip
of Sandy Hook. Formerly a hawk watch, in 2003 the hawk
watch became the Migration Watch, collecting data on diurnal
migrants like loons, cormorants, Northern Gannet, herons, and
egrets along with raptors. Birds are counted from March 15
to May 15.
The
Sandy Hook Hawk Watch began in 1979 under the guidance of Cape
May Bird Observatory's Pat Sutton, with funding from the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. The old hawk watch site was on
the mortar battery near the lighthouse, now too overgrown with
vegetation, and off-limits to the public. Counts were
recorded from 1970 to 1993.
After a hiatus of some years, the count was resurrected in
1999, in its present location. The new location offers a
panoramic view of the point of Sandy Hook, the Atlantic ocean,
and the skyline of New York City. A variety of habitats
can be observed from the observation deck, and flocks of
passerine migrants frequent the adjacent trees and shrubs.
You can download the panorama,
a 125K PDF file; use the Zoom tool in the PDF window to expand
the image for viewing.
Nineteen species of diurnal raptors have been recorded on the
counts, with over 10,000 migrating hawks passing by during the
spring of 1985. More typical yearly totals range from
4,000 to 6,000 birds of prey.
The bulk of the flights consists of Sharp-shinned and Cooper's
Hawks, American Kestrel, and Merlin. Short-eared and Barn
Owls have also been recorded. Mid-April tends to be the
peak time for large flights, but good counts can continue into
May. Rarities have included Swallow-tailed Kite,
Mississippi Kite, Swainson's Hawk, Golden Eagle, and Northern
Goshawk. Rough-legged Hawk and Goshawk are most likely to
be seen in March; Swallow-tailed Kite tends to appear in the
last week of April; May offers the best chance to see
Mississippi Kite.
To reach the watch location: from Garden State Parkway Exit
117, take Route 36 east to the entrance for the Sandy Hook unit
of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Head north on the
Hook road, following signs to the northern beaches. The
Observation Deck is near Parking Lot K, the most northern of the
parking lots. To reach the observation deck, walk
approximately 100 yards up the path at the northern end of the
parking lot.
For more information, contact the Sandy
Hook Bird Observatory at 732-872-2500.
Also available on this website:
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