Wind (current)

Aug 31:20 Raptors...YTD 137

Todays count was 20 raptors. While abit lower then anticipated,a decent finish to August. Ron,Colin,Carol,Lynty and myself enjoyed a beautiful day and 3 of us had amazing looks at Canada's precision flying team The Snowbirds as they practised for this seasons CNE Airshow. Generally the show does seem to disturb migration,as the loud planes whizzing around the city,keeps or sends many birds north of us. Today's total of 20 raptors brought the final August total to 137. That ranks 2nd among the 4 years Ive counted at Rosetta. The final August total consisted of :

Turkey Vulture........................8
Osprey....................................15
Bald Eagle...............................4
Northern Harrier...................11
Sharpshinned Hawk..............29
Coopers Hawk........................9
Broadwinged Hawk................6
Redtailed Hawk....................19
American Kestrel..................30
Merlin.....................................3
Peregrine Falcon.....................3
August Total.........................137

A respectable start to the season,things should pick-up around September 6th when Kestrels and Sharpshinned Hawks start to move extensively.

Aug 30Best One Day August Count Ever

Hi gang up to this point,August had been extra slow,a combination of poor weather conditions coupled with my own lack of attendance. I refuse to poke even my nose from the house on days the humidex is very high! I had counted 58 birds of prey this month b4 today. Today was the best August count in the 4 years of the count..a final tally of 59 birds of prey. The day began with very grey dark skies,which momentarily gave way to some nice blue sky with white puffy clouds followed by the bright blue sky for the remainder of the day. We had some close up birds,but many were medium high today. Colin,Eleanor(sp),Ron,Leon and Tim joined me today...thanks everyone for your contributions to a great count and your comraderie. Our count consisted of:
Osprey.............5
Bald Eagle.........3(2 full adults and one juvenile)
Northern Harrier.4
Sharpie...........14
Coopers...........4
Broadwing........4
Redtail.............7
Kestrel...........15
Merlin..............1
Peregrine.........2

I expect a good day tomorrow as well,despite a very blue sky that will make spotting a challenge. This brings the August total to 117,which is about average for August. BIGFRANK