Steve,
   All of the above.  I see kiting frequently in high winds.  I see true hovering less frequently when there is little or no wind.

Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD

 
---- "J. Steven Huy" <> wrote: 
> Do you mean actively flapping the wings while staying in one place; like flying with no vertical or horizontal movement?
> 
> Or are you referring to kiting, riding the wind like a kite, with some correctional flapping to maintain position?
> 
> 
> --
> J. Steven Huy
> Middletown, MD, USA
> 
> 
>  
> ---- Bob Ringler <> wrote: 
>  
> =============
> Stan,
>    I have checked out numerous hovering buteos in Carroll County while looking for my first Rough-leg here.  So far they have all been Red-tails.
> 
> Bob Ringler
> Eldersburg MD
> 
>  
> ---- Stan Arnold <> wrote: 
> > Hi Folks,
> > 
> > Bill Hubick and I drove around the Eastern Shore in the rain this morning (8
> > Jan), without finding anything exceptional, but still saw a lot of birds.
> > Most noteworthy were:
> >>     While returning home through Kent Narrows, we sighted a large buteo
> > hovering over a marshy area next to US 50.  This prompted us to take the
> > next exit, and return to where the bird was seen, feeling sure we had a
> > Rough-leg.  After a fashion, the bird was seen once again hovering.  It was
> > a large, dark bird that turned out to be a Red-tailed Hawk.  Neither of us
> > had ever seen such behavior in a Red-tail.
> > 
> >     Best to all,
> > 
> > Stan Arnold
> > Glen Burnie
> >