There are many "firsts" in birding. Most of the time the idea of a "first" is associated with seeing a species for the first time.
In this case it is a behavioral first. I spotted this hawk soaring and circling. When observing a raptor soaring and circling an area, gradually flying higher and farther away, I do not think of a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
My field-mark checkpoints all pointed to a Sharp-shinned Hawk, but I had a hard time getting past the behaviour usually associated with other raptors.
For that reason, I got another opinion which, indeed, confirmed this bird is a "sharpie." Just about the time I think I have a species "nailed" and can identify it anywhere anytime, I see something that makes me question everything.
This is the one and only shot I took of this bird that is typical of the "sharpie's" flight pattern. It always pays to look up, way up, and be open to the unexpected.
Bayfront Park 2022 "Big Year"
1 year ago