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Lehigh Gap Nature
Center |
Red-tailed Hawk Migration Study
Beginning in September, 2000, banders from Little Gap Raptor Research Group began color marking Red-tailed Hawks for a study of migration patterns and behavior of individuals of this species. The research project is a joint effort between the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and Little Gap Raptor Research. We hope to answer a number of questions about Red-tailed Hawk migration including: 1) are early autumn birds migrating, dispersing, or are they local birds moving up and down the ridge; 2) how much affinity do Red-tails have to the Kittatinny during their migration; 3) where do Red-tails we see at Kittatinny watch sites spend the winter; and 4) what is the source of the Red-tails we see along the Kittatinny (where do they breed).
During the four autumn migration seasons from 2000 through 2003, banders at Little Gap (25 km north of Allentown, PA and 18 km up ridge from our Bake Oven Knob watch site) color-marked more than 350 Red-tailed Hawks. As of February, 2004, nearly 70 sightings have been reported throughout the eastern U.S. with one report from Canada.
While the color-marking was completed with the close of the 2003 migration season, the dyes will remain on the hawks throughout the summer of 2004. Report all sightings to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center at P.O. Box 198, Slatington, PA 18080, 610-760-8889, or at info@lgnc.org. All sightings are very valuable including those with only partial information requested below. Thanks to all who reported sightings.
Please report the following (if known)
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Your name, address, phone, email
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Date of sighting
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Time of day
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Location of sighting (state, county, locality)
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Age of bird
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Dye color
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Behavior of bird when observed
