Decreases in Migrating Sharp-Shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) at Traditional Raptor-Migration Watch Sites in Eastern North America

Abstract

ABSTRACr.-Each fall, migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) are counted at traditional raptor-migration watch sites in eastern North America. During the 1980s and early 1990s, declines in the numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks sighted at many of these sites raised concerns about the population status of the species. Using count data from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pennsylvania, and Cape May Point, New Jersey, we offer additional evidence that the reported decline is greater at raptor-migration watch sites along the Atlantic coast than at sites farther inland. Band-recovery data for fall migrants indicate that Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and Cape May Point count birds that essentially are from the same eastern population. An analysis of Christmas-bird-count data for easternmost North America during the 1980s indicates significant increases in the numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks observed north of the two sites. We suggest that at least part of the decline in numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks sighted at traditional watch sites in eastern North America may result from migratory short stopping. Received 29 September 1994, accepted 18 March 1995. EARLIER THIS CENTURY, declines in the numbers of birds of prey at traditional raptor-migration watch sites were correctly interpreted