Hello all,
just a bit ago (2:13 pm) while counting birds in my yard I spotted a large
raptor just to my north. I first thought it was either a Red-shouldered or
Red-tailed Hawk. I got my scope on the bird only to discover that it was a
huge accipiter. I assumed it to be a female Cooper's but then I saw how small
of a head at had compared to a normal Cooper's. I quickly noticed the black
mark by the eye and then the uneven tail bands. The underside was light with
gray streaking. Clearly an adult Northern Goshawk.
Also in the first hour I was out there an adult female Northern Harrier at eye
level, 2 Red-shouldered Hawks, a Bald Eagle adult, and several Red-tailed Hawks.
Going back out to see what else may be flying.
Gabriel Mapel
New Hope, Va
