Raptor Migration
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Each fall millions of birds migrate south to their wintering grounds. Geographic features play a large part in the route a raptor takes in migration. Mountain ranges and large bodies of water can concentrate raptors into relatively small migration paths. These "bottlenecks" are seen throughout the world. Some of the most famous hawk migration sites in North America, such as Hawk Mountain, PA and Cape May, NJ, are centered around these features. |
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possible, raptors prefer to migrate over land rather than water.
Over land they encounter more prey and safe places to rest, as
well as updrafts and thermals that aid them in soaring migration.
When raptors reach Southern Florida a narrowing landmass funnels
them southward through the Keys. Though
this area was only recently discovered as a major migration flyway, over
23,000 raptors migrate through the Keys each fall!
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