Rough-legged Hawk - John Gluth
Report

Contributor

Date

Location

Blydenburgh Park
Suffolk, New York, United States
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: 40.8353508, -73.220264
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Observation details

I was observing the waterfowl and gulls on Stump Pond from the boat launch dock when suddenly all the gulls took flight. I immediately looked skyward for a raptor and quickly spotted one approaching from the west. It was a buteo, not the expected Bald Eagle. But it wasn't the default buteo (Red-tailed Hawk) either, it was a light morph Rough-legged. I watched as it changed course to the south, briefly hover over the woodlands across the pond, then continue on its way in powered flight and gliding. Despite the good numbers of the species present this winter on Long Island, Blydenburgh is not a location at which I would have any expectation of seeing one, so this bird was quite a surprise.

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