DECREASES IN MIGRATING SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (ACCIPITER STRIATUS) AT TRADITIONAL RAPTOR-MIGRATION WATCH SITES IN EASTERN NORTH-AMERICA

Each fall, migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) are coun ted at traditional raptor-migration watch sites in eastern North Ameri ca. During the 1980s and early 1990s, declines in the numbers of Sharp -shinned Hawks sighted at many of these sites raised concerns about th e population status of the species. Using count data from Hawk Mountai n Sanctuary, Pennsylvania, and Cape May Point, New Jersey, we offer ad ditional evidence that the reported decline is greater at raptor-migra tion watch sites along the Atlantic coast than at sites farther inland . Band-recovery data for fall migrants indicate that Hawk Mountain San ctuary and Cape May Point count birds that essentially are from the sa me eastern population. An analysis of Christmas-bird-count data for ea sternmost North America during the 1980s indicates significant increas es in the numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks observed north of the two sit es. We suggest that at least part of the decline in numbers of Sharp-s hinned Hawks sighted at traditional watch sites in eastern North Ameri ca may result from migratory short stopping.