Great Day..315 Raptors

American Kestrel

Northern Harrier

Today was a terrific day,starting off with a good flight of Sharpshinned Hawks and a few Kestrels. 2 enjoyable sightings early in the watch day,were a Sharpshinned Hawk diving and coming to the ground after something and it hid right in some flowers. Earlier Ann and I particularily enjoyed watching a Coopers Hawk chasing a Blue Jay,the Coopers making several attempts at the Jay. The Coopers flew and perched and flew and perched chasing the Jay through the trees with amazing agility. Around 11:40 Don spotted the first kettle of Turkey Vultures of the day. We had at least 3 very nice kettles of Turkey Vultures,the best was over 70. Thanks to Don's spotting of the first kettle,we kept our eyes peeled and saw others. The vultures were distant to the north of us. Mixed in were a few Sharpies and a few Redtailed Hawks. Several Sharpshinned Hawks,American Kestrels and a few Northern Harriers came nice and close. Late in the day 3 Peregrine Falcons went by. Special thanks for all their help to Walter and Don. Thanks to Ann Brokelman for the great photos today of the Northern Harrier and American Kestrel(I just couldnt chose so you get more pics then normal today). Thanks to everyone including Berle,Bruce,Sue,Carol,Lee,Anne,Gord,Peter,Tu and special guest at his first Raptor Watch Vin Sen(age 9 months)for their spotting and commraderie and in the case of Vin Sen for being so cute.

Today we saw:
200-Turkey Vultures
1-Bald Eagle(juvenile 12:43pm)
3-Northern Harriers
62-Sharpshinned Hawks
4-Coopers Hawks
1-Northern Goshawk
14-Redtailed Hawks
19-American Kestrels
4-Merlins
7-Peregrine Falcons

In the early morning Walter and I saw thousands of migrating small birds. Among them were some Yellow-rumped Warblers,White-breasted Nuthatches,thousands of Red-winged Blackbirds with Brown Cowbirds,Kinglets and American Robins. We are keeping our eyes peeled for Eastern Bluebirds as they are due any time now. We are hopeful of a good migration on Sunday. Monday doesnt look very good if predicted rains and south winds come. Tuesday looks excellent for a big day as things stand right now. Dress super warm. Bathrooms are available at least until the end of October until 3pm...most nights until 7pm. I will post further if they are available later in the year.