Roy, I have seen one dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk in many hours spanning 25 years of observing in Vermont.  The point being; anything's possible and you saw what you saw.  They may be more prevalent in the west but they do occur here. Ted Murin has reported a dark morph Broadwing and many (including me) have seen albino and leucistic Red-Tails. Hawks are more variable than many other birds species.  One more reason to love them!
 
> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:28:06 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [VTBIRD] Your thoughts!
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Observer's final stop of the day was East Creek in Orwell, [Garganey site 
> in 1988]. Initially not a single bird was seen but then a buteo passed 
> overhead first observed at about one o'clock going away.! The bird was dark 
> gray, black primaries but with no banner marks as viewed in the ventral 
> position. Completely black and gray. The birds flight was leisurely but 
> direct, progressing in a southerly direction with several deep flaps followed by 
> a glide. Red tail in size.
> What are the chances of a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk? This observer has 
> not seen one in Vermont!
> Cheers,
> Roy Pilcher
> The Gables at East Mountain, Rutland, Vermont
> 
> Speaking the same language.
 		 	   		  
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