Hawk Watch on Blueberry Hill

Print More

Group members at Hawk Watch. Submitted photos

Ripening fruit on an American chestnut tree

Granby Public Library and Granby Land Trust hosted over two dozen nature enthusiasts Sept. 10 for a Hawk Watch on Blueberry Hill, Granville, Mass. The annual broad wing fall migration typically occurs over a two-week period in mid-September and bird fans have been gathering to watch the avian spectacle from this New England Forestry Foundation site since 1999.

Although there were no kettles of hawks spotted, the group did see several kestrels pass by as well as Monarch butterflies—all heading south. Local populations of vultures, ravens, bald eagles and a Cooper’s hawk were sighted. Migrants tallied in the day’s bird count included flocks of rock pigeons and cedar waxwings, and a long list of songbirds. The best bird of the day came at the very end (3:59 p.m.) when a male Northern harrier swooped in and skimmed the hilltop flying low over the grass—the famous “gray ghost.”

Cecropia moth larva (fourth stage)

Members of the group discovered a brightly colored Cecropia moth larva (fourth stage) and noted ripening fruit on a nearby American chestnut tree—a plus for those who attended an earlier chestnut restoration program, also sponsored by the Library and Land Trust.

Everyone was appreciative of Granby resident and longtime birder John Weeks being on hand the entire day to aid with the identification of all things in the air and on the land.

Find free resources at the library to help identify birds of prey and other wonders in nature. Sign up for eNewsletters to learn about other upcoming programs and events. Visit granby-ct.gov/library and granbylandtrust.org