Thanks to those who replied!
I have entered this on my blog page:
Update:
Lessons I have learned:
from OBOL birders...
1) If it has a red tail, it is a Red-tailed Hawk, unless it's a Kestrel
which this first bird clearly is not, having no face mask. Even though
it looked small to me, the red tail means it's a Red-tail. Maybe it was
a little male.
2) If it is obviously a big hawk (like the 2nd bird) on top of a tree,
it is a Red-tailed Hawk until proven otherwise. They can be very light
in front (like the 2nd bird).
Other lessons I have learned:
1) Size and distance can be very difficult to judge.
2) Do not assume the raptor that flew out of sight is the same one you
see a little later from a different angle.
3) On a raptor route, if you don't know what it is, try to take a quick
snapshot and then continue. Do not agonize over birds that are too far
away or too hidden in shrubbery to be easily identified. It will make
you rush through the rest of your route and possibly miss raptors.
4) After running this route every winter since January of 2005, I am
still learning new stuff.
Linda
--
http://lindafink.blogspot.com/
http://lindafink-birdnotes.blogspot.com/
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