Autumn brings a change in bird distribution.

Broad-winged hawks, osprey and most of the turkey vultures leave for the south but we gain at least three resident raptors:

• Northern goshawks hang out in Pennsylvania’s forests (in small numbers).
• Merlins visit southwestern Pennsylvania and sometimes the City of Pittsburgh.
• In the Pymatuning area you’re likely to find rough-legged hawks.

Don Weiss photographed this dark-morph rough-legged hawk at Miller’s pond in Crawford County last weekend.  In winter it’s a reliable place to find this typically northern bird.

(photo by Don Weiss)