August 14, 2009, 2:44 pm
Acadia National Park will begin its 15th annual HawkWatch
season on Wednesday, August 19. Thousands of birds of prey, including falcons,
hawks, ospreys and eagles, migrate through Acadia in the autumn. Each year
thousands of park visitors join HawkWatch to see and learn more about these
fascinating birds.
HawkWatch will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily through
October 14, weather permitting. Park rangers and volunteers will help visitors
find and identify birds passing by, and provide natural history information on
raptors and related topics. Data collected on the raptors will contribute to a
regional picture of hawk populations generated from data collected at similar
sites all over New England. More than 200 hawk-watching sites across North
America, including Acadia, submit their data to the Hawk Migration Association
of North America (HMANA), which can help in determining the stability and
health of raptor populations.
Numbers seen on Cadillac Mountain vary greatly, depending on
weather patterns. Clearing days with northerly winds after the passage of a
cold front are often particularly productive. About 2,500 raptors are sighted
at the HawkWatch annually. Residents of neighboring communities are encouraged
to visit often and become part of the cadre of “regulars” who contribute
greatly to the overall count. This event provides rewarding memories and allows
everyone in the family to participate in the thrill of spotting birds of prey
and learning about raptor migration.
The site is located on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail, 200
yards from the Cadillac summit parking lot. Further information about
HawkWatch, including season totals, may be found at
http://www.nps.gov/acad/naturescience/hawkwatch.htm. Daily hawk counts will
also be posted in the park at Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Sieur de Monts Nature
Center, Park Headquarters, and Cadillac Summit Center. For further information,
including visiting with a large group or school group, or volunteering, contact
Lora Haller at 207-288-8810 or lora_haller@nps.gov.
