What type of hawk occurs year-round in the Bristol Bay area but is seldom seen because they are not very abundant? If you answered Northern Goshawk, you’re right. Welcome to Field Notes. I’m Rob MacDonald, a Wildlife Biologist with the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.

The Northern Goshawk is one of 21 types of raptors that have been observed in the northern Bristol Bay area. Although it has been seen in each of the four seasons here, it is not observed very often and is listed as rare for the area. Still, you might see one of these birds someday and it may be helpful to look it up in a bird book in advance.

In regards to it being seldom seen, I’ll use a personal reference. I’ve been in Dillingham for the past 11 years with a lot of time outdoors around Dillingham and out on the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. In all of that time, I have only observed a Northern Goshawk once. In addition, I hear of observations of this hawk from other people a couple of times a year.

The Northern Goshawk is roughly the size of a raven. It is a long-tailed, short-winged hawk that appears gray overall. They have a black crown, bluish-gray back, and white underparts. Their eyes are an orange-red color and have a distinctive white line over each eye.

The Northern Goshawk mainly feeds on birds and small mammals and can catch their prey both on the ground and in the air. They fly with rapid wing beats as they dart in and around wooded areas in search of their next meal.

For Field Notes, I’m Rob MacDonald.