Observe Migrating Raptors at Caesars Head State Park

It's a fall phenomenon in South Carolina not to be missed! The continent-crossing, current-catching birds of prey return each October to the Upstate, crossing the 12,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area as they make their annual migration from their summer grounds to the warmer climates of Central and South America.

To conserve energy for their long trip south, the hawks take the Appalachian Flyway where they can catch thermal winds that send them skyward without having to flap their wings. The Blue Ridge Escarpment in Caesars Head State Park is the only place in the South Carolina mountains with the natural characteristics to create the updrafts.

"If they run into a rising column of air, they'll make a tight circle to stay in the column and conserve energy," explained Caesars Head Interpretive Ranger Tim Lee, who leads a Hawk Watch program from the park's 3,266-foot overlook. "The process of circling is called kettling."

During the 90-minute program, experienced birders are likely to spot several "kettles" of broad-winged hawks in the escarpment. The most prevalent species migrating through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, the broad-winged hawk is easily identified by the white and black bands on its broad, fanned tail.

Volunteers participating in the annual hawk count also often spot peregrine falcons that look no bigger than a mosquito with the naked eye.

A Hawk Watch booklet available at the Caesars Head visitor center can help you identify the hawks in flight. Inside are silhouettes and markings of a variety of raptors, including kestrels, osprey, sharp-shinned hawks and peregrine falcons.

"The peregrine's tail and wings are long and narrow," Lee said. "They're built for speed. Falcons can fly more than 200 miles per hour."

During a recent Hawk Watch program, visitors watched as a falcon casually cruised through the sky and then suddenly tucked in its wings and nose-dived into the escarpment like a rocket.

"It's 11:15 a.m.," Lee said. "Must be feeding time."

Caesars Head State Park has been an official North American Hawk Migration Site since 1988. At the peak of the Sept. 1 to Dec. 1 counting period, it's possible to see as many as 6,000 hawks in one day. The best time to catch the aerial show is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.