Winter brings the arrival of a staggering variety of raptors to the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. While the conditions are difficult for birders and nature photographers, patience and time spent there will be rewarded with some amazing displays and the ability to see a wide variety of predatory birds in action. The biting cold and wind is a challenge for photographers, but tailor-made for these majestic birds that prosper in these conditions.

The most common of those is the Northern Harrier. Formerly known as the “Marsh Hawk”, this incredibly agile bird courses the fields and dikes of the refuge in search of prey. It’s primary targets are small rodents that frequent the grassy areas of the refuge. They are incredible in their ability to not only see and locate their prey (via smell as well as detecting movement with their precise and sharp eyesight), but in the ability to maneuver for the catch. They are the acrobats of the refuge, bar none. They can change direction in an instant, and often perform the most incredible moves to position themselves for attack, once they have located their prey.

Anatomy of a Harrier, Hunting.

Northern Harrier (Female) stakes out the territory from a refuge sign.

Northern Harrier (with a full gullet) courses overhead.

The Northern Harrier typically flies low to the ground. Just over the tops of the tall grasses and weeds. It’s amazing in it’s ability to hover, to use the winds to keep itself aloft. It can remain almost stationary over a location where it may have spied something moving, giving it time to make a calculated strike on it’s target. Or, it can use the winds to make a slow and deliberate pass over good hunting grounds. Ever watchful with it’s eyes directed toward the ground, waiting for the slightest indication of a small mammal making it’s way through the grasses.

Northern Harrier looks for prey, hovering just above the grasses

Once the Harrier finds something, it is relentless in pursuit. It will make many strikes on the area, and attempt to locate it’s prey once on the ground, if it doesn’t capture it in the initial strike. They use their keen eyesight and sense of smell on the ground just as in the air. If they are close, their prey has no chance.

Northern Harrier carries off a small rodent it snatched in the snow.

Time to Eat. Northern Harrier with it's prey in it's talons, on the snow.

The Harriers are the lords of the fields. They have dominion over the marsh, and they are relentless in their hunting. Of all the raptors that come here to feed and hunt, these birds are the most prolific, and on any given Winter day, you can see dozens of them coursing, hovering, and always looking for that next meal.

Male Northern Harrier

The Females outnumber the males by a wide margin. It’s rare to see the male, with his bright, almost pure white underside and black wing tips. The females are by far the most common to see. So much so, that in the last 2 years, this photo (above) is only the second male I have seen.

One of the other common sights at Forsythe is the Red-Tailed Hawk. The most common Buteo in North America. Still, they are skittish and elusive for the most part. Their cry, a very loud screech, can be heard for a long ways. Their call is the one used by most sound engineers in movies where they want to have the sound of a “hawk” flying overhead and crying out.  It’s unmistakable.

They hunt the marsh and compete with the Harriers for prey. Often taking rodents and even the occasional small bird or duck. They hunt by coursing from altitude, relying on their incredible eyesight to spot prey moving below. Or, they will wait patiently, perched on a convenient branch of a tree that overlooks a field. Then, with incredible swiftness, they will descend and attack.

Red-Tailed Hawk sits on a tree-top, searching for prey.

Young Red-Tailed Hawk wants to know who is looking at him.

Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk takes wing.

Red-Tailed Hawks are fairly large predators, as Hawks go. Their larger talons and greater size allow them to hunt for things that a Harrier would have trouble with. Things such as squirrels and small ducks are fair game. They are incredibly strong and agile fliers. They can often be noticed from a great distance, due to their very bright, whitish undersides. It’s not uncommon to see them off in the distance, perched in a tree in a conspicuous location.

Red Tailed Hawk (Adult) courses overhead.

Of course, when seen from above in flight, or when facing away while perched, the bright red tail of the adult is extremely prominent, and it’s easy to see how they got their name.

Red Tailed Hawk makes a looping turn

Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk launches from it's perch to attack it's prey

Red Tailed Hawk a split second after takeoff, on it's way to grab a meal

Although the Red-Tailed Hawk and the Northern Harrier are the most common raptors at the refuge, there are many others there, all finding their own niche in this incredibly fertile hunting ground. It’s not uncommon to see Cooper’s hawks (which hunt birds on the wing), American Kestrels (our smallest Falcon), and Merlins (another small and incredibly agile raptor).

Merlins and Kestrels hunt small rodents, insects and reptiles. Rarely, small birds. Coopers Hawks are masters of catching birds on the wing. Their broad, shorter wings allow them to pursue songbirds through trees, and with the large surface area of their wings, they only need a few precise flaps to keep up their speed in pursuit.

American Kestrel perched on top of a tree, surveys the area for a meal

Female Merlin poses for a portrait near sunset.

Once in a while, a rare Raptor makes an appearance at Forsythe, such as this Juvenile Northern Goshawk.

Northern Goshawk (Very Rare Bird for this Area) Cruising the Marsh

Young Coopers Hawk with it's prey

Although fairly common, the Red-Shouldered Hawk is not seen all that frequently. They resemble a Red-Tailed Hawk, and it’s easy to get confused. Yet they are one of the large number and variety of raptors to call this place home. Slightly smaller than a Red-Tailed Hawk, they have broad wings and similar coloration, especially when viewed from below. They favor marshes and wetlands. Unfortunately, their numbers have been seriously declining in this area over the last 30 years.

Red Shouldered Hawk courses overhead.

One of the most dramatic and dynamic raptors to see at Forsythe is the Peregrine Falcon. A bird capable of incredible speed, amazing agility, and ruthless in it’s pursuit of prey. Able to overpower and overtake almost any bird in flight, it outperforms any other raptor in this way. Capable of speeds close to 200 mph in dives, and 100 mph in level flight, no small bird is safe. The Peregrine is the master of the open sky. If an unfortunate bird is caught off guard, the Peregrine will give chase and with deadly certainty, catch it’s prey with brutal efficiency.

Peregrine Falcon in a rare display, pausing to look at the photographer.

Male Peregrine Falcon using an Osprey nest and platform as an observation post

Peregrine Falcon enjoys a bird lunch

The most majestic of raptors at Forsythe is the Bald Eagle. This year, more than any other, Bald Eagles have been numerous and very active at the refuge. They are imposing with their incredible size (3 feet tall, 7 foot wingspan in the largest birds). While the other raptors here may inspire fear in some part of the bird population at the refuge, nothing gets more birds in a tizzy than a Bald Eagle approaching. Thousands of ducks and even Canada Geese will take to the air in a frantic attempt to avoid being the Bald Eagle’s next meal. In fact, as a photographer, watching for a scattering of large numbers of ducks is a good sign that an Eagle may be approaching, and to be on the lookout.

Bald Eagle, Hunting Prey

In the photos above: (Top Left to Bottom Right)

1) A Bald Eagle, after having spotted it’s prey from a distance, makes the final turn from behind it’s prey in preparation for attack

2) Talons out and at the ready, the Eagle descends on it’s prey from behind, achieving complete surprise.

3) After a short battle with it’s prey, the Bald Eagle gets a good grip on the bird, and takes off from the ice.

4) On it’s way back to feast on it’s capture (a male Hooded Merganser), the Bald Eagle tucks it’s prey under it’s tail for best aerodynamic efficiency.

An Immature Bald Eagle stops for a short visit on the ice.

Bald Eagle (Adult) does a close flyby after stopping for a drink of water.

Master and ruler of the skies.

Not afraid of anything or anyone, this Bald Eagle looks defiantly at me over it's shoulder

This time of year is a wonderful opportunity for birders, naturalists or photographers to visit the Edwin B. Forsythe refuge to observe these incredible birds. Raptors are dynamic, exciting and unpredictable, and a joy to behold.  They hold a place in nature at the top of their food chain, ideally suited for the role. Fast, powerful, built for speed in some cases, overwhelming strength in others. Some are small and agile and fast as lightening, able to pick off small animals or even large insects. Nature seems to have a niche for almost anything. In this case, for incredible birds who use their physical attributes and their cunning to prey on others. Brutal and without remorse, they occupy an essential and prominent place among birds.