Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch

Audubon Greenwich's Fall Hawk Migration Observatory. Live updates of daily sightings and other hawk news. hawkcount.org/quaker_ridge

Located just six miles inland from Long Island Sound at an elevation of 510 ft, Quaker Ridge is SW Connecticut's premier fall hawkwatching site at Audubon Greenwich. Since 1971 birders and nature enthusiasts alike have enjoyed QR as an observatory to the annual fall passage of thousands of hawks, eagles and falcons on their journey to Central and South America. Starting in 1985, an official counte

r has been present seven days a week from late August to late November in order to compile data on these birds and hopefully discover trends in each species' populations. Following the passage of cold fronts with winds out of the N-NW, thousands of hawks can been counted on a single day at QR. In mid-September all eyes are on the spectacle of migrating Broad-Winged Hawks. On days when hot air rises to create thermals, groups of hundreds of these birds can be seen spiraling in unison together in these funnels of air, often called a 'kettle' of hawks. Over 35,000 Broad-Winged Hawks have been counted here on a single day! The peak of Broad-Wing migration usually occurs in mid-September between September 14-20, so if winds are out of the NW or NE on any of these given days you might be in for a real show. Besides Broad-Wings, 15 other species of diurnal raptors can be seen during migration at QR. Bald Eagles are now a near daily occurrence at the watch due to now-thriving populations of this once critically endangered bird. As colder weather arrived in late October-early November, large numbers of Red-Shouldered and Red-Tailed Hawks can be seen. If you're very lucky, you may even see a Golden Eagle! The hawk watch is open to the public from August 20th to November 20th with an official staff member counting Monday through Friday. Volunteers will be counting on weekends and any new volunteers are strongly encouraged. All you need to bring is a pair of binoculars and sharp eyes. QR's experienced hawk watchers are always eager to answer your questions and show you not only how important these birds are to our environment, but how awesome it can be to spot and identify them in flight. Audubon Greenwich also hosts its annual Hawk Watch Weekend in Late September, which offers a variety of education programs on hawks & nature as well as food, entertainment and exhibits from local environmental organizations. Our daily totals can be viewed at
http:www.hawkcount.org
under Quaker Ridge

For more information on the hawks we see here and on their migration visit the Hawk Migration Association of North America's website:
http://hmana.org

You can also check out all of Audubon Greenwich's upcoming programs and events at their official website:
http://greenwich.audubon.org/

Photos from Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch's post

12/01/2025

Another season at Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch has come to an end, and as a special surprise we were paid a visit by our good friend Rosabel Miro, executive director of Sociedad Audubon de Panamá ! Many of the hawks we see over our hawk watch in September will eventually pass by the Cerro Ancon hawk watch in Panama, where they have counted two million raptors in a single day! It is connections and partnerships like these which make conservation work for these birds stronger and we are so grateful for all the work Rosabel and her team do for the birds who visit both of our countries.

To hear about this year’s Hawk Watch season totals and highlights join us tomorrow, Tuesday December 2nd at 6 pm in Kiernan Hall for our Hawk Watch Season’s End Presentation. Official Hawk Counter Ian Henderson will give a slide show featuring his many photos of hawks taken this season and how our results may indicate population issues for many species. To register for this program visit the link below:
https://tickets.audubon.org/events/0199edc7-9149-5a37-fd14-3cd84da3908a

Our most sincere thanks to Ian and all of our volunteer Hawk Watchers for making this another memorable hawk watching season!

(📸: Karl Kaufman, Valerie)

11/25/2025

We have reached the final week of the hawk watch season, but the Red-Shouldered Hawks have not stopped! From November 18 through 20 we had three consecutive days of over 100 Red-Shoulders tallied each day and more will likely migrate this week.

The watch will be continuing through November 30th followed by our Season's End Presentation in Greenwich Audubon's Kiernan Hall on TUESDAY DECEMBER 2 at 6 PM. Registration for this event is FREE and all who would like to join us can sign up at the link below:
https://tickets.audubon.org/events/0199edc7-9149-5a37-fd14-3cd84da3908a

10/28/2025

This is why braving the chilly weather at the hawk watch is worth it! On Sunday our hawk watchers present had the thrill of seeing this gorgeous subadult GOLDEN EAGLE fly over at low range in the late afternoon. It is now prime time for these birds to be visiting our area as they migrate down from Eastern Canada. We are reaching peak season as well for Red-Shouldered Hawks, Turkey Vultures and other species so keep your eyes peeled on hawkcount.org in our daily totals for Quaker Ridge that include migration forecasts for each day. Dress warmly and see you on the lawn!

(All Photos by Ian Henderson)

10/17/2025

It was a GOLDEN day at the hawk watch today with our first Golden Eagle of the season! With colder temperatures arriving these birds are starting to appear in small numbers throughout the northeast and we hope to see several more this season. Other species such as Red-Shouldered & Red-Tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures along with continuing Sharp-Shinned & Cooper's Hawks are now making up the bulk of the day's flights. The next two days show promising conditions of Northwest winds so come out to the hawk watch if you can and visit the link below for this month's totals
https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=149&go=Go+to+site

All photos by Ian Henderson

10/02/2025

As we enter October we have now tallied over 5,000 migrating raptors for the season. Broad-Winged Hawks have largely come to a halt but the later half of September did have two days of over 100 late Broad-Wings. Sharp-Shinned & Cooper's Hawks have now picked up in numbers along with the first migrating Turkey Vultures. Non-raptor highlights have included a fly-by Great Cormorant on October 1st, Rusty Blackbird and American Pipits. You can continue to follow our numbers live at hawkcount.org!

All photos by Ian Teall-Henderson

09/20/2025

Over 80 more Broad Winged Hawks already lifted off this morning and hopefully more to come! Get out to the watch if you can.

09/19/2025

Northwest winds in mid September means you should get out hawk watching today! Small groups of Broad Winged Hawks passing by already.

09/18/2025

This week at hawk watches like our Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch and across the globe we’re celebrating International Hawk Migration Week! Not only are hundreds of hawk watches enjoying the spectacle of hawk migration but we are also raising awareness for how crucial of a role hawk watches play in providing data on our hawk populations to the Hawk Migration Association

In the coming days we anticipate thousands more migratory hawks, eagles and falcons so stop by the hawk watch if you can! The celebration then continues next week with our annual Hawk Watch Fest on Saturday September 27 where visitors can enjoy special attractions including:
- Early morning bird walk co-lead by Bonner Black at 7 a.m.
-Live songbird banding with Birding In Connecticut author Frank Gallo at 8 a.m.
-Live Raptor Show by Christine's Critters Inc. at 11 a.m.
-Raptor Photography Talk by Lauren Hampton at 12 p.m.
-Live Music by Bonner Black at 1 p.m.
-Live Falconry Demonstration by Skyhunters In Flight at 2 p.m.
-Rehabilitated Hawk Release by Wildlife in Crisis, Inc. at 3:15 p.m.

Other ongoing activities include a Hawk Mini-Golf course by ESP Creative , an Optics Alley to try out and buy binoculars by ZEISS Birding, Vortex Optics, The Audubon Shop , food by Happiness Is Catering, Live reptiles by Teatown Lake Reservation and tables by local birding and conservation organizations including Bedford Audubon Society Connecticut Ornithological Association Sharon Audubon Center Berkshire Bird Observatory Lights Out Connecticut Greenwich Land Trust Abilis, Inc. and more!

To purchase tickets visit the link below!
https://www.audubon.org/greenwich/explore/hawk-watch-fest-greenwich-audubon-center

09/11/2025

Despite overcast skies and easterly winds, 45 raptors moved through today including 31 Sharp-Shinned Hawks, 7 Broad-Winged Hawks, 3 Northern Harriers, 2 Merlin and one Bald Eagle. Tomorrow's conditions look promising with Northerly winds and clearer skies so come out to the watch if you can!

Full day's report below:
https://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php?rsite=149&ryear=2025&rmonth=09&rday=10

All photos by Ian Teall-Henderson

09/05/2025

The first two weeks of the Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch season have been a slow but steady trickle of our first migrating raptors. Broad-Winged Hawks have begun to stage their departure along with the first early Bald Eagles and Ospreys. Our first two days of the season also brought non-raptor highlights including an Olive-Sided Flycatcher on our first count day of August 25th, followed by a surprise SANDHILL CRANE on August 26th!

As we head towards the peak of migration in September you can keep up to date with our daily totals and forecasts as they are posted live to hawkcount.org and tickets are still available for our Hawk Watch Fest on Saturday September 27th HERE!
https://tickets.audubon.org/events/0196a60e-618e-42e9-7edf-6916c7ff8735

All photos below taken at Quaker Ridge by Ian Teall-Henderson