Todays weather was perfect..eventually for a great raptor flight. We were begging for some clouds at first,and Ive no doubt we missed some birds in the blue blue sky,though we did our best. Todays final tally was 471,which put me way past last falls final year total of 3042. My current total is 3384 for 2006! Much thanks to Rodger and Jane,Lyn,Tim and Carol,for their help today,spotting and almost keeping me sane. I surpassed 300 Northern Harriers for the season,and have seen more Sharpshinned Hawks then all of last fall(1667 vs 1618),with adults yet to come in the coming weeks of October. Todays final tally of 471 included:
Turkey Vulture.........................186
Osprey........................................2
Bald Eagle...................................5
Northern Harrier........................22
Sharpshinned Hawk.................155
Coopers Hawk............................9
Northern Goshawk......................2
Broadwinged Hawk....................45
Redtailed Hawk..........................25
American Kestrel........................15
Merlin..........................................4
Peregrine Falcon..........................1
Again we had a terrific look at a juvenile Northern Goshawk. Turkey Vultures were to the north so Ive no doubt we missed a few,but with everyone working hard,we had a terrific day. We had one 3rd year Bald Eagle,one adult and 3 juveniles. While many birds were very close we had many high ones today,and even Turkey Vutures out over the lake. (Pictured are Turkey Vulture and Redtailed Hawk)
Despite todays poor weather,we still had a good count. Colin,Rodger and Jane joined me. There were many close birds,and a few very high ones. The bird of the day,a quote from Colin: "Today >>> at the Bluffs with Big Frank ... 80+ raptors ... highlight >>> "big" juvenile female Gos' flying with a Harrier ... separating from the Harrier's flight path, Gos' made a quick right hand turn to fly past Big Frank and I at eye level ...and just 20 to 30 feet away from us ... we could see her eye(s) !!! " Todays final tally of 82 included:Turkey Vulture.........................2Osprey.....................................2Northern Harrier.....................17Sharpshinned Hawk................47Coopers Hawk.........................3Northern Goshawk...................1Broadwinged Hawk..................2Redtailed Hawk........................1American Kestrel......................4Merlin.......................................1Peregrine Falcon.......................2
Todays count slowed down a great deal after 11am,so most of the birds counted were the"upflight" or birds that spent the night nearby and left early the next morning. Carol and Terry joined me today,and helped pass the slow periods between birds. Of interest today,a Kestrel that landed atop a Spruce tree(pictured) and interaction between 2 Peregrine Falcons. I spotted 2 Peregrines flying together,one harrassing/attacking the other. They went behind a tree,and only one emerged which I watched out of sight along the lakeshore to the west. The "attacker" I lost track of but assumed it had continued on,just evading my sight. Later I saw 2 Peregrines again,this time there was vocalization between the 2,something I always love to hear,as one attacked the other. This time I saw the atackee out of sight again,but saw that the "attacker" went back to a spot further on along the bluffs. Still later in the day I saw what I believe was a Peregrine,some distance out over the lake to the east,eventually making its way back to the distant shoreline. Conclusion:there is a female juvenile Peregrine who has decided to hang out along the top of the bluffs somewhere for awhile. In coming days I will watch closely for more such interactions.Todays count included:Osprey..............................2Northern Harrier................6Sharpshinned Hawk..........23Coopers Hawk..................1American Kestrel..............25Merlin................................1Peregrine Falcon................3With a big day on Friday,when good raptor movement conditions are predicted I will surpass my 2005 Final Count,with 2 months remaining in the count. Lets hope the weatherman gets Friday right!
Another good day,with high winds being northwest till around noon. Thanks to Ron,Gunner,Richard and Kira for their coming out to enjoy the day and spot me some birds. A great view of a Peregrine Falcon was enjoyed again today,and several Northern Harriers passed by very closely. I had a nice kettle of 6 Northern Harriers today,and one with 15 Sharpshinned Hawks. An Osprey circled offering great views to Peter and I,as Peter took a break from his walk to check it out. Todays total of 118 raptors was the 11th day with greater than 100,and included:Osprey.........................2Northern Harrier.........31Sharpshinned Hawk....63Coopers Hawk.............2Redtailed Hawk............1American Kestrel........18Peregrine Falcon...........1With luck the predicted Friday northwest winds will bring a good movement of raptors. If the northwest winds predicted hang in until Friday,get to your favorite raptor viewing site. Other birds seen today were Brown Creepers,many Golden Crowned Kinglets,a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a Northern Mockingbird. Blue Jays continue to migrate in good numbers.
Today was another fantastic day. The weatherman was happily wrong,we had high winds that were northwest much of the day. How does the old joke go? If U dont like the weather wait a minute and it will change? We had the bluest blue skies,perfect hawk skies (with nice puffy clouds in the blue sky) and completely cloudy skies,but still counted 211 raptors.I had plenty of help spotting and IDing.Thanks to Colin,Rodger and Jane,Mary,Gunner,Carol and Ron,for their contributions to the count and very enjoyable days. Peregrine Falcons are moving alot along the lakeshore,with fantastic views of several 19 in the last 4 days. Todays total included:
Turkey Vulture......................1
Osprey..................................3
Northern Harrier..................29
Sharpshinned Hawk...........120
Coopers Hawk......................3
Broadwinged Hawk.............13
Redtailed Hawk.....................2
American Kestrel.................34
Merlin....................................1
Peregrine Falcon....................5
The season total of 2652 wasnt achieved until Oct19th last season.
I had plenty of visitors/helpers today. Thanks to everyone who enjoyed great views and helped spot birds today. Guests included Ron and Jean,Eleanor,Gunner,Terry,Andrew,Carol,Colin and all the way from the UK Rodger and Jane. We had better than predicted weather,resulting in a decent flight of 75 raptors. We had terrific views of a few Harriers,a 2nd year Bald Eagle,a few Osprey and many Peregrine Falcons. We saw one juvenile Peregrine Falcon takea run at an Osprey as it went past. That needless to say caused some excitement among us. Several of the Peregrines came right along the bluffs affording us great viewing. Our 75 raptors included:Osprey.......................4Bald Eagle..................1Northern Harrier.........8Sharpshinned Hawk...43Coopers Hawk...........2Redtailed Hawk...........1American Kestrel.........5Merlin..........................1Peregrine Falcon........10
