Apologies for cross posting, but the area in question is situated on the
Kern and Ventura county line:

My son and I camped Friday night at Mt. Pinos campground where we enjoyed
all the typical mountain birds. My question is in regards to two separate
Accipiter hawks seen late Friday and early Saturday. Neither of which was
seen well so no definitive ID's can be made, but I am wondering if location
and altitude point toward one over the other.

The first was a brief look at an immature on Friday which was on the ground
leaving the scene of the crime. This was on the road nearly at the top of
Mt. Pinos summit as you approach the viewing area. A Steller's Jay was the
prey. All that was seen was a large, long-tailed accipiter with rich brown
upperparts. The second was an adult flying low through the trees just below
Mt. Pinos Campground where we stayed. Nuthatches and chickadees alerted me
to something in the area where I caught a glimpse of a large bluish-gray
hawk (only the upperparts were seen), long-tailed with a pale terminal band,
quickly moving through the branches.

The question is, what is the status of Cooper's Hawk at this altitude
compared to Northern Goshawk? Is one species likely to occur here over the
other?

Jamie Chavez
Santa Maria, CA
http://www.sbcobirding.com