Message:

[

Previous   Next

]

By Topic:

[

Previous   Next

]

Subject:

Blackwater: interesting Red-tailed Hawk

From:

Marcy Stutzman

Reply-To:

Marcy Stutzman

Date:

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:56:36 -0400

Last evening Winger West, Dave Brenneman and I were at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge from about 6-8pm. Sunset was at 8:04pm. 

From around 6:30-7:15 p.m., we were in the area of Stops #7 & #8 on Wildlife Drive. #7 is the last wooded section before the drive opens up into the marsh. There is a bench on the shoulder of the road near Stop #8.

We had stopped to look at the American White Pelican from near the bench.

We were standing on the road when Winger and I noticed a buteo fly from out of the trees heading west over the channel of water along north side of the road. Our impressions were that it was very dark, almost a chocolate brown with a grayish-blue wash to it. My exact words were that it looked overall gray to me. There was no belly band, streaked belly or whitish breast. We did not see the patagial markings. The hawk flew out of sight and left us wondering.

Eventually, we got back in the car and began again, but shortly after the hawk was flying back east over the channel right past us again. Winger and I got out and followed it with our binoculars. It landed in the trees near Stop #7 and we got a good look at the red-tail. But the color still was a mystery to us. On its return flight, nothing had changed in what we were seeing.

So we pulled out our collection of bird books in the car and began reading. We think we might have seen a Dark-phase Red-tailed Hawk. So we made a complete 360 degree loop and returned to the sight again - looking from along the tree line at Stop #6 through Stop #8. We again spent quite a bit of time, but by now the sun was almost below the horizon and we were running out of light.

We wanted to share our thoughts with anyone who might be interested in trying to see if you can see it, too. If you are going to Blackwater and happen to see a similarly-looking Red-tailed Hawk, would you let us know? You can email us off line. Thanks.

Marcy Stutzman
Russett, MD


Winger West
Millersville, MD


Dave Brenneman
Fort Washington, MD


############################

To unsubscribe from the MDOSPREY list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MDOSPREY&A=1