Raptor watchpoint

A raptor watchpoint or bird of prey viewpoint is a location at which birds of prey can be viewed in the wild.

Some watchpoints are primarily of interest for wintering birds of prey — these are usually at sites where birds arrive to roost in the evening. Other watchpoints are at raptor breeding sites. These are usually set up some distance from the nesting site, in order to control observers and provide safe nesting conditions for the birds in question. A final category of watchpoint is the migration watchpoint; popular in North America, these are also known as a "Hawkwatch".

Raptor watchpoints have often originated informally, as birdwatchers have discovered good locations and passed on their knowledge. In other cases, watchpoints have been set up by conservation organisations, in order to concentrate viewing at a particular site, thereby taking pressure away from others.

ee also

* List of raptor watchpoints in Britain
* List of hawk watches in North America