Occurrence in Amherst & Connecticut Valley, Mass.
Very rare, accidental visitor
December
Supposedly a casual or accidental visitor, most probable in fall or winter, but possibly a rare (regular?) transient
September - February
Mountain forests and open grasslands; some winter on salt marshes in the east; found in any habitat during migration.
Nests made of sticks and vegetation—sometimes also bones, antlers, and human-made objects and lined with available vegetation, such as yucca, grasses, bark, aromatic leaves, mosses and lichens, or conifer boughs. Nesting sites include cliffs, trees, ground, and human-made structures.
21st Century Conservation Notes
Has undoubtedly declined from historical levels, but current populations thought to be stable. May not be able to tolerate human disturbance near the nest.*