Date: 10/2/25 7:37 am From: John D Babington via CTBirds <ctbirds...> Subject: [CT Birds] Chestnut Hawk Watch, Litchfield, CT - Where were the Broad-winged Hawks?
The Chestnut Hill Hawk Watch in Litchfield, CT was a bust in September in terms of Broad-winged Hawks counted in migration. The total number of Broad-winged Hawks counted in migration from Sept 11 through Sept 22 was 158. This has to be lowest tally of migrating Broad-winged hawks at the Chestnut Hill in the 42 years of counting migrating hawks at Chestnut Hill. The recent report "2024 Hawk Migration Report" of the Northeast Hawk Watch addressed reasons for low number of migrating Broad-winged Hawks in southern New England which would also apply to 2025. A shift of the jet stream to the north with a lack of strong cold fronts with strong northwest winds shifted Broad-winged Hawk migration west and then south. While hawk watch sites in northern New England had about an average Broad-winged Hawk migration in September 2025 south and southeast winds moved Broad-winged Hawks west before they reached southern New England. The days of being bundled in winter coats and gloves after a strong cold front at Chestnut Hill counting hundreds of migrating Broad-winged Hawks appear to be over. This shift in the weather also shows up with the lack of rain and drought conditions in the northeast USA. Climate change is very real folks.
David W BabingtonWashington, CT
To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send an email with just "join" or "leave" in the subject or body to: <ctbirds-request...>
CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/
