I am currently sitting on top of Tussey Mountain and it is snowing and 27F. Winds are out of the west which is generally prime for raptor migration at this site but I haven’ seen a single hawk since I got here over 2 hours ago.
Now, this isn’t just an isolated event. I counted hawks for three falls at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and one spring at Montclair Hawkwatch in New Jersey. I have put in good time sitting up on the top of a ridge, perched on some cold, unforgiving rocks in often sub-freezing weather. In fact, these late season watches were among my favorite because of the solitude provided by the harsh conditions. Certainly no one in their right mind would subject themselves willingly, so I was often alone. These cold days also brought few birds, but the species that did come always excited me. Late season migrants like Northern Goshawk, Rough-legged Hawk and Golden Eagle made up for the scarcity of birds.
North Lookout- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
So the question I pose to you is, just what is the line between hobby and obsession?