Nest-tree use by hawks in Pennsylvania

[The authors] studied nest-tree use by woodland raptors in Pennsylvania for a 2-year period. Ninety-four active nests of sharp-shinned (Accipiter striatus) (n = 8), Cooper's (A. cooperii) (n = 19), red-tailed (Buteo jamaicensis) (n = 14), red-shouldered (B. lineatus) (n = 3), and broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus) (n = 50) were located. Nineteen tree species were used as a nesting substrate. Principal tree species used were white pine (Pinus strobus), red pine (P. resinosa), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and white oak (Quercus alba). Because conifers were an important nesting substrate, [the authors] recommend that naturally occurring stands be left undisturbed near potential nesting habitats for these raptors in Pennsylvania.