Program: “State Line Hawk Watch: A Review of the Last Nine Years” by Karl M. Soehnlein
Wed, September 16th 2020
High above the Hudson River, each year, from September through November, volunteer observers/counters record the migration of raptors at State Line Lookout. Most of the fourteen species of hawks and two species of vultures that occur regularly in New Jersey are seen here each fall. Most are migrants that nest in upstate New York, New England and Canada, while several species, such as the vultures and red-tailed hawk, are also year-round residents in the park.
Along with over 200 other hawk watch sites, State Line Hawk Watch reports its data to the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA). HMANA is the only organization that collects, analyzes, and publishes hawk migration data from hundreds of hawkwatch sites on a continental scale. Results are published in the biannual journal, Hawk Migration Studies (HMS). This information is critical in determining the health of these raptors.
Karl M. Soehnlein has been involved with the State Line Hawk Watch since 2012 and currently does the scheduling of volunteer “counters” for the fall migration season and is the liaison between the volunteers and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. He is also and avid bird and wildlife photographer.
