http://saintjohnnaturalistsclub.org/GMHW

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch, Greenlaw Mountain, Saint Andrews, NB (2026)

12/01/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch’s 2025 Annual Report is now online, highlighting 5,472 migrating raptors counted over 43 days!

This season saw above-average numbers of Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagles, and Northern Harriers, while several other species continued long-term declines.

As always, migrating raptors were observed in close, up high, out on the horizon and on occasion, moving below the watch site.

Explore the full report for species highlights, trends, and the incredible work of our official counter Todd Watts along with our volunteer observers:
https://saintjohnnaturalistsclub.org/annual-reports-gmhw/

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Nature Saint John

11/17/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Saturday, November 15, 2025:

(Last report of the season!)

Counts (migrants)
Bald Eagle 17
Northern Harrier 1 (female)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
American Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
unknown buteo 1
Total 28

Observation Period: 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: Cloudless skies all day. Wind gusty, NW around 25km/h diminishing to around 15 during the afternoon while slowly shifting to W. Rh 72% dropping to 53. Temps -1 to 4 C.

Notes: Not much moving other than the occasional Bald Eagle, but not too bad for Nov. 15 in NB. A bit brisk during the first few hours.

Last day of the season. A season report will be prepared shortly.

Highlights: A few outstanding views of young eagles. A couple were only ten metres of the rocks. Northern type Red-tail kiting directly overhead at very low altitude (appeared to be the same individual as sighted in recent days.

Birds going for the decoy: Sharp-shinned Hawk

Raptor interactions: Sharp-shinned Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Migrants 2 Pine Grosbeak (sitting down briefly before heading west), 27 finch species, 4 Common Grackle, 3 Common Merganser, 1 Double-crested Cormorant

Tomorrow: That’s it for the season.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

11/17/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Friday November 14, 2025:

Counts (migrants)
Bald Eagle 5
Northern Harrier 1 (male)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
unknown raptor 1
Total 12

Observation Period: 10:30AM - 3:30PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: A blanket of relatively low clouds covered all but a little sliver of sky through the first couple hours. By mid-afternoon skies were nearly cloudless. Wind NW 10 km/h, building to 20 and gusty while becoming WNW. Rh 80% dropping to 57. Temps -1 to 3.

Notes: Hard to find migrants today. It’s late though, so no big surprise.

Highlights: Good viewing of a couple Northern type Red-tails.

Birds going for the decoy: None

Raptor interactions: Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Migrants 255 Canada Geese, 12 Double-crested Cormorant, 23 American Robin, 13 crossbill species, 12 finch species

Tomorrow: Looks like slightly stronger NW to WNW winds with cloudless skies. I will make a last run up, but it could be a short day.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

11/17/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Thursday November 13, 2025:

Counts (migrants)
Turkey Vulture 1
Bald Eagle 13
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 7
Golden Eagle 1 (immature)
unknown eagle 1
Total 24

Observation Period: 11:00AM - 3:15PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: Cloudy with some sun for the first hour, then brief sun around 2PM. Wind NE 5 km/h, increasing to 5-10 while shifting to N. RH 78% dropping to 68 before building to 75. Temps 4-5 degrees.

Notes: Immature Golden Eagle 11:01AM. A great way to start the day. This individual appeared to be a first or second-year (bold white tail band). Two large accipiters were being viewed when the eagle moved through the field of view (this was during the first scan of the day). They appeared to be Cooper’s Hawks, but could not be relocated. Eagle activity was higher than average throughout the day with as many as 7 observed within a single field of view (immediately after the Golden moved through). At least 3 adults and 1 second-year moved around the area (the actual number may have been significantly higher). 5 of the 7 Red-tails observed today arrived after 2PM. Most of the migrants were distant, which is typical of light winds near the end of the season (light winds during earlier portions of the season are less likely to produce distant raptors).

Highlights: The third Golden Eagle of the season!

Birds going for the decoy: None

Raptor interactions: Sharp-shinned Hawk and Bald Eagle, Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Migrants included 21 American Crow, 9 American Robin, 16 Red Crossbill, 40 finch species, 16 Red-winged Blackbird

Tomorrow: Looks like NW winds with clouds and sun. Temps around freezing moving up to 3-4 degrees.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

11/10/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Sunday, November 9, 2025:

Counts (migrants)
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 1 (male)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
American Goshawk 2
Rough-legged Hawk 2
Total 8

Observation Period: 11:00AM - 2:30PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: Cloud-cover 75% quickly building to 100% as a system approached from the south. Wind 1-3mph from the north during the first hour, then variable before SE after 2PM. Rh 81% dropping to 61. Seasonable temps.

Notes: A few birds while the sun was out, then a few more after 1PM. Thickening cloud-cover made it a bit dreary. Several eagles were active. Only two appeared to move. Two resident AMGO observed. Two others moving through. The Rough-legs were distant, to the north, as were the other migrants.

Highlights: None.

Birds going for the decoy: None

Raptor interactions: Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Migrants included 20 Double-crested Cormorant, 117 American Crow, 27 American Robin, 4 Red Crossbill, 18 crossbill species, 30 finch species

Tomorrow: A southerly flow is expected for the next few days. No counts are planned. There might be an opportunity for additional observations at the end of the week, which will wrap things up for the season.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

11/06/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Wednesday, November 5, 2025:

Counts (migrants)
Turkey Vulture 1
Bald Eagle 14
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Total 18

Observation Period: 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Observers: Todd Watts, Mike Bamford (midday)

Weather: 5% cloud-cover at the start building to 100% by Noon. Wind West around 15km/h gusting to 20-25, beginning to shift south of West after 2PM. Relative humidity 67% dropping to 50. Seasonable temps.

Notes: An uneventful day.

Highlights: Good viewing of some close eagles

Birds going for the decoy: None

Raptor interactions: Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Migrants included 16 Red Crossbills, 12 White-winged Crossbills, 25 crossbill species, 5 Purple Finch, 11 finch species, 29 American Robin, 1 swallow species (very late), 1 Common Loon, 2 Bufflehead

Tomorrow: Looks like AM rain and heavy Northwest winds. Will get out if conditions allow. With such heavy winds late in the season, movement will likely be very light.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

11/03/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Sunday, November 2, 2025:

Counts (migrants)
Turkey Vulture 12
Bald Eagle 6
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Unknown raptor 1
Total 22

Observation Period: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: Cloudless skies during the morning with winds 15-20km/h from the WNW shifting to NW. Afternoon cloud-cover increased to 40% before diminishing to 15%. Winds dimionished while shifting to WNW then W late. Rh 76 dropping to 57.

Notes: Seemed like the type of day that might produce dozens of Red-tails, but there was hardly a bird moving despite excellent conditions. Will see what happens after the next system moves through.

Highlights: A few birds came in close, but it was pretty quiet overall.

Birds going for the decoy: Sharp-shinned Hawk (2)

Raptor interactions: Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Not a hint of migration.

Tomorrow: SW winds. No counts are planned.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

11/03/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Saturday, November 1, 2025:

Counts (migrants)
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1 (immature)
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Total 17

Observation Period: 11:00AM - 4:00PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: Cloud-cover 100% at the start reducing to 75-85%. Wind West 25-30km/h with gusts to 50. Rh 71% dropping to 60%.

Notes: Very heavy headwinds kept birds down. Even the eagles struggled at times to make headway. Several hawks turned around after encountering blasts of wind coming across the open river valley. The Osprey was our first ever November record.

Highlights: An immature Cooper’s Hawk put on a good show as it popped up seemingly out of nowhere to harass a low flying Turkey Vulture over the site.

Birds going for the decoy: Merlin

Raptor interactions: Cooper’s Hawk and Turkey Vulture, Merlin and Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: The only migrants observed were 6 Double-crested Cormorant. Robins and crossbills moved around a bit, but it couldn’t be determined whether or not any moved across the very windy river valley.

Tomorrow: Looks like West-northwest to Northwest winds, clouds and some sun. Winds should be lighter especially during the afternoon. Could be a good day for some late season migrants.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

10/30/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Wednesday October 29, 2025:

Counts (migrants)
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Merlin1
Unknown raptor 1
Total 9

Observation Period: 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: Cloud-cover 95% at the start, reducing slightly before a blanket of low clouds moved in from the east, covering 100% of the sky (morning hours). A bit of the interior fog still visible at 2PM as it clung to a hilltop. Some clearing during the second half of the afternoon. Wind E around 10km/h with gusts to 20, shifting to NE as the clearing occurred.

Notes: If there was any hope for a decent number of hawks today, it sailed away as the low clouds backed in. A resident goshawk, 3 or 4 eagles and a hunting red-tail made brief, distant appearances. Quiet skies overall. No vultures sighted today. We will almost certainly see more of them, however the locals seem to have left.

Highlights: Male Merlin putting on a great show as it went for the decoy and circled the site repeatedly.

Birds going for the decoy: 1 Merlin

Raptor interactions: None

Non-raptors: Migrants Double-crested Cormorant 290, American Robin 65, 'blackbirds' 30, Red Crossbill 2. Eastern Bluebirds heard but not seen.

Tomorrow: Looks like a repeat of today is possible. Low clouds will cancel observations. A strong front is expected at the end of the week, possibly bringing improved conditions after its passing. Pushes of Red-tails tend to occur in November. Other raptors will be seen.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

10/29/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Tuesday, October 28, 2025:

Counts (migrants)
Bald Eagle 9
Northern Harrier 1 (male)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 20
Unknown raptor 1
Total 25

Observation Period: 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: Cloud-cover 95% reducing to 10% during the morning, then low clouds covering 100% of the sky for most of the afternoon. Wind NE 20-25km/h with gusts 40+, slowly diminishing during the afternoon. Rh 89% dropping to 72%.

Notes: Some extremely distant birds before the low clouds, then next to nothing. Raptors that were seen tended to appear well to the north without first being seen to the east or northeast (unusual). It seemed that they were staying away from the low clouds near the coast. Only four of the Red-tails were close enough to assign a subspecies. All were Eastern/borealis.

Highlights: A real bruiser of a female goshawk with a full crop appeared very low over the site putting on a great show while she hunted (just above the trees). She was eventually escorted to the SW by a male Sharp-shin (great low altitude comparison of these interacting birds). Both were lost behind trees and not counted. This low altitude interaction on its own would have been worth the walk for most people.

Birds going for the decoy: None

Raptor interactions: Sharp-shinned Hawk and American Goshawk, Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Migrants included 175 Double-crested Cormorant, 365 American Robin, 35 finch species (likely Red Crossbills), 30 'blackbirds'

Tomorrow: Looks like lighter NE winds, clouds and sun. With a little luck, the clouds will be higher allowing more birds to move or at least move closer to the site.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

10/27/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Report for Sunday, October 26, 2025

Counts (migrants)
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 9
Northern Harrier 3 (1 female, 2 unknown)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Red-tailed Hawk 6
Total 26

Observation Period: 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Observers: Todd Watts

Weather: 90 to 100% cloud-cover with showers arriving a little after 2PM. Wind generally 1-3mph, mostly from the WNW. Rh 94% dropping to 65 before increasing as rain developed.

Notes: Pretty flat, cool and damp for the first couple hours resulting in only 3 migrants before Noon. Hardly a vulture in sight even after raptors began to fly (very different than yesterday). Eagles were moving before the showers developed. Rain brought things to an early end. Interesting cloud formations added to the experience.

Highlights: Excellent viewing of a low and close Northern type Red-tailed Hawk. Nice viewing of a low and close female Northern Harrier. Adult American Goshawk displaying over the site.

Birds going for the decoy: None

Raptor interactions: Sharp-shinned Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk, Common Raven and Red-tailed Hawk (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Migrants included 75 DCCO, 1 COLO, 1 COME, 625 AMRO, 29 RWBL, 12 COGR, 11 'blackbirds', 13 RECR, 2 PISI, 8 finch species

Tomorrow: Looks like observations might be rained out. Mid-week has potential.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

10/27/2025

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch Saturday, October 25, 2025

Counts (migrants)
Turkey Vulture 110
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 7 (4 male, 1 female, 2 immature)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16
American Goshawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 29
Merlin 1
Unknown raptor 1
Total 167

Observation Period: 10:15AM - 6:00PM

Observers: Todd Watts, Richard Blaquiere (for most of the day)

Weather: Virga in the area during the morning (radar images of this caused a delayed start). Cloud-cover 90-95% till early afternoon, then cloud-cover ranged from 35% to 85%. Lost the sun sometime after 4PM. Wind 5-10km/h mostly from the WNW. Rh 83% dropping to 55.

Notes: The morning and the last hour were very slow. Vultures arrived in larger groups today. Adult male and female goshawks displaying overhead (residents). The migrant was a juv. Lots of low birds today, often close. One of the Red-tails appeared to be a RSHA/RTHA hybrid. It had a red tail, so that is how it was recorded. Some of the others appeared to be the Northern type.

Highlights: Adult male and female American Goshawks displayed overhead. Nice views of Red-tails, harriers and Sharp-shins. Sharpies putting on a great show while going for the decoy. One passing within 2 metres of the observer. Kettles of migrating vultures at various distances.

Birds going for the decoy: Sharp-shinned Hawks

Raptor interactions: Sharp-shinned Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk (aggressor listed first)

Non-raptors: Observed migrants included 490 Double-crested Cormorant, 47 American Robin, 4 Red Crossbills (many others were observed), 115 ‘blackbirds', 12 unknown songbirds

Tomorrow: Looks like clouds, maybe a little sun and probably some showers. Winds look good, but showers might shut things down. Seems like the day could go either way. Three weeks to go.

More details can be found at hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at hmana.org.

This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.

Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Birds Canada, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.

Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club

Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch

12/01/2025

11/17/2025

11/17/2025

11/17/2025

11/10/2025

11/06/2025

11/03/2025

11/03/2025

10/30/2025

10/29/2025

10/27/2025

10/27/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category