During fall migration, the best place to trap a passage Red-tailed Hawk in New York is:

Trapping a passage Red-tailed Hawk during fall migration is most effective atop a ridge running from northeast to southwest. This orientation is significant because it aligns with the typical migratory paths that raptors take during their seasonal movements. As they migrate, many bird species, including Red-tailed Hawks, utilize ridges and elevated areas to gain altitude and ride thermals, which assist them in conserving energy during long flights.

A ridge that runs from northeast to southwest allows the hawks to take advantage of prevailing winds that often blow in this direction, facilitating their movement southward. Furthermore, such an alignment with migratory corridors increases the chances of encountering these hawks as they funnel through the area.

On the other hand, while a ridge running from east to west can still provide an advantageous location for trapping, it may not align as optimally with the primary migratory routes. Similarly, agricultural valleys and beaches do not offer the same aerial advantages that ridges provide during migration. These locations may not be as frequently used by raptors seeking to utilize thermals and may result in lower trapping success.