Record Setting Day...845 Raptors

Today was a record setting day,with 3 records falling. Walter,Berle,Lee,Andrew,Ron and Jean all enjoyed many birds,though almost all were high and abit distant. The "extra eyes" really helped,especially when skies were very blue..thanks gang. The first significant movement of Redtailed Hawks saw 141 pass by,often streaming. The species which helped break 3 park records was Turkey Vultures. We saw a record 683 Turkey Vultures. This pushed the number of TVs seen this season to a record1358,destroying last falls record1061. The large number of vultures also pushed the day total to the highest ever...845(beats last seasons 755).

683-Turkey Vultures
2-Bald Eagles
2-Northern Harriers
11-Sharpshinned Hawks
3-Coopers Hawks
1-Redshouldered Hawk
141-Redtailed Hawks
1-American Kestrel
1-Peregrine Falcon

Tomorrow looks pretty good for another good movement of raptors. Sunday will likely be slow.

Oct.16 Good Conditions...235 Raptors First of Season Golden Eagles

Finally after several very poor days in a row,a day of almost perfect conditions. The northwest winds didnt disappoint. Today,Gunner,Andrew,Naish,Sheila,Berle,LeeWalter,Linda and Linda,Betty and myself,enjoyed many low Sharpshinned Hawks. Naish(a High Park regular) and Sheila were present when a late movement of Turkey Vultures went through the park low and very close. At 10:30am there was a Bald Eagle. Late in the day,at 3:40pm and 4:12pm the first and second Golden Eagles were seen. One was clearly juvenile,the 2nd adult. A male Harrier passed low and close,which Walter and I especially enjoyed. Another treat was 3 Merlins that moved past "together". Our total of 235 consisted of
1-Bald Eagle
96-Turkey Vultures
2-Northern Harriers
100-Sharpshinned Hawks
1-Coopers Hawk
1-Redshouldered Hawk
11-Redtailed Hawks
2-Golden Eagles
15-American Kestrels
6-Merlin

Tomorrow looks like conditions are very good for another fine flight of raptors. Also seen today was a Pileated Woodpecker,which flew very close to us along the bluffs after briefly landing in a Maple tree.

Please note the link on the main Raptor Watch page,to a discussion board recently started to chat about not only birds of prey at Rosetta McClain Gardens,but various small birds,insects and wildlife,as well as a place for us all to stay in touch over the coming months. Lee invites us to join. Hope to see you there.

Oct 14 Report..Slower Than Expected 46 Raptors

Firstly,sorry for the late posting. Secondly,sorry for the brievity of the post. A good group of birders joined me on Tuesday,hoping that predicted strong northwest winds would bring a large number of birds. To everyones surprise,despite good winds most of the day,a large flight did not take place. It would seem inclimate weather east of us probably held the birds up. By the end of the day,Walter,Mary,MaryUK,Gunner,Murry,Peter,LeeFrank Sr,Lynne,Mike and Katherine saw at least some portion of the following 46 birds of prey:
21-Turkey Vultures
2-Nothern Harriers
10-Shaprshins
1-Coopers Hawk
8-Redtailed Hawks
3-American Kestrels
1-Merlin

This brings the season total to 2547. I await a report of the birds seen Oct 15. Thursday through Saturday look like there is a chance for a big movement of birds. Fingers crossed the birds read the weather forecast! Remember no matter the forecast high temperature,dress warmer then U think U need,many hours standing in NW winds is cold!