It's a long flight from New Hampshire to Brazil, But Scott explains just how these large raptors manage their semi-annual commute.
The Broad-wing hawk is one of several raptors that pass over Mt Monadnock during their trip south. (Courtesy Peter Manship)
High gas prices have put the morning commute back on the front page. For many of us, it already looms large, especially for those who have to deal with congested roads and traffic jams.
This may not remind you of wildlife, but right now many of our hawks are beginning an annual commute that will take them thousands of miles along ancient hawk highways. Theyfollow mountain ranges, and other topographical features that provide thermals and updrafts that they use to stay aloft. This allows them to save energy for the long journey.
Broad-winged hawk, a species that breeds right here in New Hampshire will leave in September. The directions are pretty simple. They head south until they meet the Applachian Mountain Range where they merge left and continue south to the Gulf Coast. Most continue west along the coast until they hit the Sierra Madre Mountain Range in Mexico. By the time they reach Veracruz on the Gulf Coast of Mexico, the skies are so congested that almost one million hawks have been recorded in a single day.
One of the feeder roads that eventually empties onto the superhighway of the Sierra Madres passes south through New Hampshire. It follows the same route as the Wapack trail, south into Massachusetts. The September sun heats the ground, and by late morning birds begin to congregate in the columns of rising air. A good day might bring more than a thousand birds past the summit of Pack Monadnock, where a hawkwatch occurs each September and October. The best time to visit is on a calm sunny day between September 10 and 25 when large numbers of broad-winged hawks are migrating.
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