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

Trapping a passage Red-tailed Hawk during migration is best achieved atop a ridge that runs from northeast to southwest because this orientation allows birds to capitalize on prevailing winds and thermals that often favor this directional flight. Birds generally migrate following geographical features that assist them in conserving energy and navigating, and ridges can provide both vantage points for hunting and an advantageous airflow.

In this case, a ridge running from northeast to southwest could create a funnel for migrating hawks, allowing them to take advantage of thermal updrafts and making them easier to spot. This geographical alignment often corresponds with the migration patterns of raptors, particularly as they seek to minimize their exertion while flying.

Other locations, such as a beach or an agricultural valley, may not offer the same benefits of thermal assistance and visibility that a ridge does during migration. A ridge running east to west could also be less effective, as it may not align with the typical movement patterns of hawks during certain migratory seasons, which usually favor a more diagonal flight path across the landscape.