[Maine-birds] Great Black Hawk info

Hi all:

It was a great day to be following a Great Black Hawk around Deering Oaks. Many thanks to everyone who posted updates today and helped folks get on this bird. With the weekend ahead, I wanted to share a few tips for observing the bird:

First of all, GIVE THE BIRD SPACE. There were opportunities throughout today, particularly when the bird was perched in a Norway Spruce along Park Ave, when it was especially easy to see and photograph, but keep in mind this was following it flying into a window. Later in the day, back in the park, there were a few times that people got too close and flushed it several times before it settled into its usual corner. I'm very appreciative of everyone who followed our directions in giving the bird space but if we want to see this bird in the future I hope everyone will help enforce this. The Great Black Hawk definitely favors the southwest corner of the park (near the Deering Ave / Park Ave intersection) and particularly spends time in the catalpa tree near there. I strongly recommend birders stay on the path (or on the outside border of it) to give this bird space to roost and forage. The path is visible in the map that Rob O'Connell shared last night here: https://groups.google.com/d/msg/maine-birds/AbbclXwSywM/ORCvwRRhCgAJ

In the afternoon the hawk spent nearly an hour eating a squirrel at the base of one of the cedars in that area until a King Middle School student ran through and deliberately flushed the bird. The teachers at King have done a great job bringing students out throughout the day and most have really appreciated getting to see the bird - if you see students, please share your scope, binoculars, etc, and get these kids interested. After flushing from its prey, the bird sat in an oak (through at least 3:30PM when I left) watching the carcass. Despite many attempts, it was difficult to get people to clear the area that the bird was eating in. The Park Division of Portland have been notified and are putting up signage to keep people out of this area that the hawk has been frequenting. I'm likely preaching to the choir through this listserv but I hope everyone will help regulate the large crowds that are likely to come over the weekend and keep this bird's well-being a priority. News coverage has attracted many "non-birders" so please use this opportunity to teach them about the bird and the space they need. My best advice, teach them to digiscope a photo from the path rather than walking right up to the bird with their cell phone.

Thanks all for a great day birding this Portland park. Let's work together to keep this bird around for many more people to see!

Good birding,


Doug Hitchcox
Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
207-781-2330 x237
dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org


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