Year	Peak Week	Avg
2002-2007	Oct 20-26	12

Where to Watch:

Like the other accipiters, the Goshawks tend to sneak past the hawkwatch along the tree lines. Their flight level is often lower compared to most of the other raptors although they can be seen soaring and kettling. The best views of Goshawks are usually right at "Sharpie Alley" (just south of the ravine) much like the Sharpies and Cooper's. They may also be see farther north (past the intersection at Dexter Line) and even along the large ridge at Fruit Ridge Rd.

High Counts:

There were no new records set for Goshawks in 2008.

Yearly Totals:

The 2008 yearly total for Northern Goshawks was barely half of the 10-Year average and well short of the 5-Year average. (averages are based on 1998-2007 and 2003-2007 counts).

Year	Count	Year	Count	Year	Count
1995	30	2000	17	2005	66
1996	35	2001	43	2006	52
1997	46	2002	19	2007	34
1998	7	2003	52	2008	23
1999	22	2004	68	2009	N/A

Interesting Facts:

• Goshawks have a very large white eyebrow stripe that is often visible even in flight.

• When soaring, their tail exhibits a wedge shape.

• Goshawks are sexually dimorphic (though the least so of our accipiters) with marginal or no overlap.

• Males are smaller than females but not always separable in the field.

• Males have slightly finer barring on their undersides (body and wings) than females.

• Adults may stay in or close to breeding territories except when prey is scarce (Snowshoe Hares and Ruffed Grouse).

• In Ontario, adults usually winter in northern forests if prey is abundant. Juveniles usually depart natal regions.  Goshawks will migrate in any direction to wooden tracts of any age, wooded rural and urban locales, and sometimes to areas with marginal tree growth.

• Southward movements are seldom to southern parts of the U.S., i.e. rarely seen in Florida