Rick Argent wrote:

...in the interest of bird safety, the Audubon folks should conduct pattern
work training for their low flying friends...


They're not ALL "low flying" friends. While negotiating some rather high
ground in northern Nevada I was minding my own business at about 10,000 ft
and came face to face with some kind of hawk who was ridge soaring on the
upwind side of the mountain. We saw each other at about the same time and we
both took evasive action - missed him by no more than a few feet off the
right wing tip. He looked to be about 10 lbs (actually, at the time, he
looked MUCH larger) and I hate to think what would have happened if I'd hit
him!

So, look for them at any altitude - some are really high flyers.

Dan Schaefer