Goshawks of Apache Junction

November 1 2008 - we arrived- A.J.

2009-01-22T15:10:00.000-08:00

7 November 2008 5 p.m. Apache Junction- Saguaro RV Park - W. Southern Ave. -
Finally, after 6 days and many hours of scanning the sky, hoping for and expecting to observe NG; 1 male NG cut through the RV park, at elevation of 150 feet. Also to be observed in this area is a Cooper's Hawk, 1 mature Tundrius Peregrine Falcon, 1 Harris' Hawk, 1 Red-Tailed Hawk, 1 female Kestrel, and 2 G.H. Owls.

female NG- 22nd and 23rd October

2009-01-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

22 October 2008 2:30 p.m. Escapee's RVP- Congress

1 female NG in hunting mode. EOB 100 feet. OT- 3 minutes. Temps in high 80's.

23 October 2008 5:30 p.m.

1 female NG - in direct flight over my trailer at 150 feet elevation.

Commonality of NG

2009-01-22T14:40:00.000-08:00

20 October 2008 Prescott, AZ

On our trip to Jerome and Sedona

1 Goshawk in city limits of Prescott at 11:30 a.m. at elevation of 300 feet.

This is an insight to the concept of NG being "readily available for observation" - not only on Coastal Bend Texas and Coastal Southern California, but also on Coastal Northern Washington, and in Tucson, Yuma, and Apache Junction.

We traveled 270 miles from Congress to Sedona and back. This is high desert country. The only raptor we saw in the sky was a NG at 300 feet elevation. No other raptors were seen in the sky! Therefor, we can say that no raptors were to be called unidentified. We did see about 5=6 perched Red-Tailed Hawks and 1 perched Kestrel.

Heading to Apache Junction- 2008

2008-12-14T17:39:00.000-08:00

We departed Anacortes on 13 October. On 14 October 2008 at 5:20 pm, north of Red Bluff, California, Exit 451 on Interstate 5 - 1 male Goshawk in flight at elevation of about 75 feet.
We were to spend 2 weeks at an Escapee's RV Park called North Ranch. Location; 4 miles south of Congress, Arizona, Hwy 89- mile post 264. This area is high desert. 18 October 2 pm- 1 female Northern Goshawk (NG). EOB about 200 feet. OT- 3 minutes. The bird had a square-tip tail with a white terminal band. Also, same location- a male Red-naped Sapsucker. 19 October 4 pm - 1 male NG hunting.

Photos - Goshawks- A. Junction

2008-03-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Birders; and hawk-watchers ( and there is a world of difference). Any person who claims they know how to identify raptors in flight, or claims to know how to identify raptors in flight from photos: and claims that any of these photos might be of a Cooper's Hawk - then that person is a LIAR! These photos are being published for the first time.

1 female Goshawk

2008-03-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

1 female Goshawk - 6 Nov. 2005 - 4PM; Route 60 and Ironwood.

First of 2 photos (1a)

Northern Goshawk-1of 2 photos

2008-03-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

1 female Goshawk - 6 Nov. 2005 - 4 pm.; Route 60 and Ironwood

(2 photos of same bird) - this is photo 1b.

Female Goshawk - 1of 2 photos

2008-03-13T14:48:00.001-07:00

1 female Goshawk - 18 Nov. 2005 - 3:45 pm.; Route 60 and Ironwood

Note: this bird has a square-tip tail; first of 2 photos.

female Goshawk - 2 photos

2008-03-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

1 female Goshawk - 18 Nov. 2005 - 3:45 pm.; Route 60 and Ironwood

(photo 2c)

Female Goshawk 25 Nov. 2005

2008-03-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

1 female Goshawk - photo 3 - 25 Nov. 2005; Route 60 and Ironwood.

Goshawks from Route 60 and Ironwood

2008-03-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

30 Nov 2005; 7AM (2 photos)

The first of four goshawks that infiltrate my position; overpass from route 60 and Ironwood.

early AM Goshawk

2008-03-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

30 Nov. 2005 7:04 AM.

A good example of raptor identification under low light conditions. The sun is not above the horizon, certainly not above the mountain's ridge line. This is the 4th Goshawk to infiltrate my position; on route 60 - Ironwood overpass..

Accipiter Alert

2008-01-29T12:47:00.000-08:00

On at least 6 occasions, I have observed Northern Goshawks with what I call "Goshawks with expressed recessive genes". In Tucson, winter 2000-01, I went for the first time, to the parking lot of Costco on Grant. Within 20 minutes a mature female Goshawk presented. The bird came over head at elevation of about 200 feet. The lighting conditions were excellent.This bird had red vermiculation on the belly, chest, and under wing coverts.

In Rockport, Texas - winter 2002-03: I had many sightings, over a 4-month period, of the same mature female Goshawk. This bird had a dark gray dorsal area. The chest, belly, and under wing coverts were red-orange.

In February 2005, in Anacortes, Washington: 1 mature female Goshawk; elevation of bird about 300 feet. The lighting conditions were excellent. The bird was near over head. The chest, belly, and under wing coverts were red.

My 3 latest sightings of Goshawks with this condition; winter 2005-06, Tucson; 1 Goshawk; far off. In April, 2007; Anacortes, Washington, at close range over head; 1 mature male. In Goodyear, Arizona - 14 October 2007; 1 mature male.

In winter 2006-07, I had a brief meeting with 3 biologists from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Michael Ingraldi (research biologist) Ph.D., informed me that at a Goshawk nest in Heber, Arizona, he had tried to trap a mature female at the nest. The bird was not to be trapped. The bird had a red chest and belly.

On a Christmas Bird Count in New Jersey, Pete Kwiatek and I saw a mature female Goshawk, pumping low over the ground. This bird had a pink throat and upper chest. This is a rare condition, but not unhead of.

Conclusion; if you are using field marks to identify accipiters - at times, you may be taking the wrong path.

pink and black

2008-01-14T07:57:00.001-08:00

Pink and black - from the 1950s - will it ever come back? Will that Goshawk you saw, travelling through the sky, ever come back? The answer is probably Yes! And for 2 reasons. So you go to your local authorities, the Fish and Game Department and the Audubon Society, and you speak with the president and a field-trip leader, and you get the same vapid, canned response, "that bird was probably just passing through". So logic now states; the best time to see that bird or its progeny again is to wait 1 year from that sighting and then set -up a hawk-watch site, hoping to see that bird again. Right? Wrong! The proper (logical) time to look for that bird again - is now!

Depending on your location - latitude and altitude - that bird may be the product of a nesting situation; even though the nest is 5 or even 10 miles away from your sighting. Or that bird has been in your area - as a winter visitor for many years, yet now you are starting to notice the bird. The other situation could be that the bird is entering your area for the first time, and may spend 3 or 4 months in your area as a winter resident. One other thought problem: if your area is or could be conducive to breeding Goshawks, then that visiting winter-raptor or its progeny or phenotype might stay in your area and become a breeder.

As an aside - on a New Jersey Christmas bird count, Pete Kwiatek and I saw a mature, female Goshawk - pumping low over the ground. This bird had a pink throat and upper chest. This is unusual, but not unheard of.

words have meaning

2008-01-13T17:46:00.000-08:00

These photos of Goshawks of Apache Junction combined with photos of Goshawks of Anacortes will also be added to my blog www.goshawksofanacortes.blogspot.com. As we are instructed in tai-chi that arm is arm; leg is leg; and shoulder is shoulder - so is Goshawk is Goshawk; and Cooper's Hawk is Cooper's Hawk. There is a world of difference between a Cooper's Hawk and a Northern Goshawk. I am referring particularly to raptors in flight. Getting back to field marks - I do not use field marks to identify many raptors. Please notice - Pete Dunne's "Hawks in Flight", and William Clark's "Hawks". Please read the literature; the photos are of a secondary nature. Words have meaning. The simple way that I write my field notes have meaning. I do use field marks to sex and age raptors. Sometimes, I chase raptors on foot, bicycle, or truck. This action can be easily accomplished, since one of my main strategies is to nearly- always try and hawk watch from the "flats".

field guide modifications

2008-01-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

So, do I know a lot about Northern Goshawks? I personally know little about Goshawks. But there is nobody who knows more of Goshawk habitat, migration, and distribution than what I know. All field guides need to be modified to show the true habitat, migration , and distribution of Goshawks. Very few field guides will state "Goshawks are a common species in many areas of the United States". Those same field guides then will state that the raptors are elusive. Again, my mantra, Goshawks can be an elusive species - but not in the sky. This is why birders should meet the challenge and become hawk-watchers. My other mantra - I beg for you to understand what hawk-watching is all about!

some hints

2008-01-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

Goshawks can hunt (or protect each other) in pairs or triples. Cooper's don't. Goshawks love the wind, sun, clouds, and thermals. Cooper's don't - but do, during migration. Goshawks cavort. Cooper's don't.

field marks are tag alongs

2008-01-12T17:08:00.000-08:00

Any birder who uses field marks to identify raptors is working under a handicap. What if the lighting conditions are of a low quality? What if the bird is turned the "wrong way"? What if leaves or limbs blog your view? How will you treat unusual plumage? What if the bird gives you a three-second look - then flies off its perch? And that raptor in the sky, giving you that 10-minute look, remains intellectually unresolved. To see a perched Goshawk is a "rare event". But this rare event is but one side of a coin. Northern Goshawks can be an elusive species, but not in the sky!

skills, insights, tactics are needed

2008-01-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

Dear birders and hawk-watchers (and there is a big difference): I have been trained - in the field - (unofficially) by 5 professional hawk-watchers. All of these professional birders also have other professional disciplines. Yet, I have gained not one shred of my skills, insights, and tactics leading toward finding and observing Northern Goshawks from any individual or organization. If you have an intelligent question, I will try and give you an answer. Let me explain - I have never seen a Goshawk nest. I have never seen a Goshawk take prey. I have seen Goshawks carrying prey. In New Jersey, I saw a mature, female Goshawk at elevation of about 200 feet, flapping as she carried a large possum.

I am no mystery man

2008-01-11T14:17:00.000-08:00

I am not particularly interested in perched raptors - to me a perched raptor is a dead raptor - as is a stuffed animal. Please do not ask me why I have a passion for wild, Northern Goshawks. And don't ask me what field marks I use to identify Goshawks. Do you think I am more knowledgeable than David Sibley or William Clark, when it comes to field marks? Do you think I side-step the concrete information contained in field guides, relating toward raptor field marks? Of course not! But - as an aside - other (new) field marks are being introduced. No matter - field marks are not the bird (just a part of the bird).

Goshawk migration

2008-01-11T14:06:00.000-08:00

It has been written that Goshawks do not do a complete migration. Do some Goshawks migrate and those same Goshawks at other times, do not migrate? Do Goshawks do a stepping-stone migration? Do Goshawks do an east-west migration? Why do all the Goshawks entering Texas have to go completely through Texas in order to get into Mexico? ANSWER- they don't! Some of those Goshawks do a "drop-off", and winter in Livingston, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, and Rockport. The same concept applies to the Goshawks of Southern Coastal California. They don't all have to get into Mexico!

What happened to the logic

2008-01-11T13:57:00.001-08:00

From my writings: Do you mean to say that over 370 species of birds have been seen at Tijuana Slough, including Red-tailed, Red-Shouldered, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and the is no niche for a Northern Goshawk? What happened to the logic? Did the logic dissipate into the sky? If you were looking into the sky for the logic, you would have found the Goshawk!

more of my profile

2007-08-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Common Northern Goshawk (nonprofit) established 2006, is dedicated to the concept that Northern Goshawks are a common species in many (most?) areas of the United States, and that they are moving into cities and suburbs, and have been doing so for many years...since I don't live near major migration routes, I am not particularly interested in raptor migrations. So the raptors I have been observing are near their breeding quarters, and when raptors migrate to their southern-wintering quarters...I am also there. In other words, I am seeing the same raptors over and over again. That is how I have garnered just over 1,000 daily-sightings of Northern Goshawks (NG).

Also, less than 1% of my sightings are of perched NG, and less than 1% are of NG migrating through.

Goshhawks with an open mind - yours

2007-07-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

Dear reader,
I could have saved time and space by abbreviating the words: soaring, flapping, and gliding - to become S,F,G. My idea of writing the words in full was to let the words become more noticeable and possibly more valuable in their expression. There are about 800 species of birds in North America, and it has been said that every bird moves its wings in a different manner. I would think we can classify many birds by the way they hold their wings, not only in a glide, but also as they soar.

To take it one step further, we can use a device to record the wings in action. This step is dependant upon the lighting conditions and the distance to the bird. Once we gather that information, we certainly will need a computer program to analyze the information. Remember: there are 800 species of birds in North America.

Once a Northern Goshawk (NG), or (it might be a Cooper's Hawk) moves its wings: that bird gives-up information leading to the identification of the bird. And the device doing the interpretation is our eyes and brain. And again, as long as the lighting and the distance is not prohibitive. This is why the single word 'flapping' is so important in my reports.

I think you can take this to the bank - Cooper's Hawks cannot move their wings in a relaxed manner. This is for sure - NG have 3 modes of flight (wing movements): active flight, with deep wing beats; active flight, with shallow, snappy wing beats; inactive flight (leisure flight) with deep, relaxed wing beats, or inactive flight, with wing beats that are not so deep.

There are more than 18 parameters that I can use, that help to identify NG (in flight). If you use coloring, on the ventral area of accipiters, in order to make an identification: in most cases , are you are working with accepted procedures, (but in some cases) watch- out!

explanation of text

2007-07-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

La Hacienda RV Park = RVP; all the locations mentioned are near the RVP; every area mentioned can be considered to hook-up with at least 3 other areas (that are mentioned).

4 Northern Goshawks for breakfast

2007-07-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

1 December 2005 7:00 a.m.
No photos were taken, however, I had 4 Northern Goshawks for breakfast!
Number 1 came over the golf course at 75 to 100 feet elevation. The bird was well toward my left, as it crossed Route 60, to get into the high school area; time, 7:00 a.m. Observation time about 2 minutes.

At about 7:04 a.m., toward my front: in a tight group were 3 NG, heading toward me, travelling parallel to Ironwood Road. The birds were about 100 to 125 to 150 feet elevation, respectively. The birds were seen in 1 glass. then all 3 swung left- then they swung toward the right. The birds were heading over or into the RVP. The birds were observed for 2 to 3 minutes.
I departed Apache Junction, and arrived in Tucson, December,1 2005.
NOTE: every sighting was at or near the RVP.

2007-07-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

30 November 2005
Tomorrow (December,1) I will again take the high ground, just below the highway. My primary instrument will be binos- to get a better understanding of how many NG and Cooper's Hawks are roosting south of the golf course. I will also try and get a photo.

2007-07-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

30 November 2005 7:00 a.m.

I took the high ground to better understand where the NG were roosting.(Where are they coming from?). My position was on the overpass (Route 60 and Ironwood); southeast quadrant. The first bird was a NG, at 7:00 a. m. The bird was coming from the Baseline Road, golf course area; as I had expected. The bird was over my position at about 50 feet up and to my left, and veering toward me. I took three photos. 1 photo was deleted (in camera). About 1 minute later, 2 NG passed my position and went toward the high school area.

From my reports the case was - I knew Apache Junction had 3 NG; 2 females, and 1 was mature - and 1 male (with a square- tipped tail). Then the shocker, at about 7:o4 a.m. A large accipiter came low, toward my position. 1 photo was taken (a NG); the 4th! Then off to my left were 2, possibly 3, large accipiters crossing Route 60 to get toward the high school and business district. The photos are assigned: 4a-4b and 5.

2007-07-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

29 November 2005 7:00 a.m., 7:01 a.m., 7:10 a. m.
3 sightings - of 3 or 2 NG.
2 NG were flying in tandem. The first bird, from the south, was hunting low over the high school, and appeared to go down in the scrub field on Ironwood and Southern. The second NG came 150 feet over the high school and veered left into the scrub field behind Osco's. The third sighting of NG; the bird came from the south at about 100 feet elevation, between my position and the school, then veered behind Osco's. It is possible that the first bird swung around, all the way past Rout 60, and made another run. My position was in the barren field next to Saguaro RV Park.

2007-07-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

27 November 2005 7:00 a.m.
1 NG: hunting low over Saguaro RVP. I chased the bird for 20 minutes, behind the cardiac center and tall apartment building.

2007-07-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

26 November 2005 7:00 a.m.
2 NG: "going to work". The birds were overhead at RVP. The birds were rapidly heading north, at about 150 feet elevation. The birds were in tandem. They were about 1 minute apart, both at the same elevation.

Also, at 2:30 p.m.
1 female NG: coming from the golf course. The bird went very low over the the tops of scrub trees in field. I chased the bird (on bike) for 20 minutes; over the middle school, houses, condos, resorts, and gas stations.

2007-07-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

25 November 2005 4:55 p.m.
1 NG: hunting, at RVP. Elevation of bird about 150 feet. The bird was soaring, flapping, and gliding. The bird was drifting eastward. 1 photo was a keeper.

2007-07-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

20 November 2005 9:30 a.m.
1 NG: hunting. At RVP. The bird was low, over the park.

Also, at 3:15 p.m.: 1 mature NG, high over the park. The bird was soaring and flapping, and was in hunting mode.

Also, at 4:30 p.m.: 1 female NG, hunting, near the park, over Route 60. Elevation of the bird about 150 feet.

2007-07-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

19 November 2005 3:30 p.m.
1 female NG: at RVP. The bird was soaring, flapping, and gliding, at an elevation of possibly 800 to 1,000 feet overhead. Observation time: 3 minutes.

2007-07-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

18 November 2005
(2 female NG at RVP) : I took 3 photos of the same bird (in flight).Observation time: 5 minutes.
1 hour later (the actual time was not recorded), at 1/2 mile north of RVP(near Osco's Store): 1 female NG. Observation time: 5 minutes. In both cases the birds were soaring, flapping, and gliding.

2007-07-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

14 November 2005 4:35 p.m.
1 female NG; soaring and flapping over RVP, at high elevation. The bird was heading home to roost.
Observation time: 3+ minutes.

2007-07-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

10 November 2005 1:30 p.m.
1 NG; high over the RVP, and past the RVP. The bird was flapping and gliding, and rapidly heading south. This bird may have been migrating through.

2007-07-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

6 November 2005 4:00 p.m.
1 female NG; soaring, flapping, and gliding. 3 photos were taken; 2 prints were made, designated 1a; 1b

2007-07-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

5 November 2005 10:00 a.m.
1 mature female NG; soaring and flapping over the high school. I chased the bird (always high), and always 1/2 mile ahead of me, traveling eastward.
Observation time: about 15 minutes.

2007-07-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

4 November 2005 3:30 p.m.
1 female NG; soaring, flapping, and gliding over Route 60; the high school, and the La Hacienda RV Park (RVP). The bird was at an elevation of about 200 feet.
Observation time: 20 minutes

2007-07-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

3 November 2005 before sunrise
A large accipiter, quite high; rapidly pumping, and gliding; heading toward the suburbs and business district.

Also 3 November 2005 3:30 p.m.
1 mature male Northern Goshawk (NG); approximately 50 feet overhead. The bird was in hunting mode; soaring, flapping, and gliding. The bird had a square-tipped tail, with no terminal band. A female NG was hunting at the same elevation; 100 yards away.
At 4:00 p.m., the female was going away from the business district, at an elevation of about 200 feet; pumping and gliding.