When conditions are right, birds of prey take advantage of existing air currents in order to conserve energy. Thermals form over areas that absorb, rather than reflect, the sun's energy, such as the slopes of mountains, plowed fields with their dark soil, and large expanses of pavement. When wind strikes a hill, mountain, or ridge, the deflected air currents can provide so much lift that migrating hawks gain speed and altitude by following them. When weather conditions are right, usually with northwest winds following a cold front, hawks can be seen migrating in large numbers. Because hawks migrate during the day, they often follow major landforms such as rivers, mountain chains, and the seacoast.
Morning is usually best for watching, but it all depends on the weather.
The best locations for watching hawk migration are up high with an open view to the north-northwest. Good luck and thanks for calling. All rights reserved.