With perfect conditions for a good flight of raptors today,Walter,Leon,Murray,Lee,Ann,Carol,Pat,Nancy,Bruce,Colin,Margaurite,Terry,Betty and I enjoyed wonderful day of raptor watching. We had fantastic views of several of the Broadwinged Hawks,some very close views of Osprey and 4 Bald Eagles. Twice we had great size comparison opportunities. Example one was a Broadwinged Hawk circling with a Redtailed Hawk. The size difference was very obvious as were the styles of soaring. I was able to get a shot I am very happy with of a Broadwing,over head. On several occassions we saw them below us. The 2nd example of the size differences in raptors came when a Broadwinged circled with a Bald Eagle. The Broadwing was dwarfed by the Bald Eagle. As we have a few newish raptor watchers this was a great opportunity to observe Broadwings close up. Among the Broadwings was our first adult Broadwing of the season.
By 4pm we had seen:
Turkey Vultures...........4
Osprey.........................15
Bald Eagles...................4(Juvenile(hatch year)10:13am,2 Adult 12:33pm,Juvenile 1:35pm)
Northern Harrier........5
Sharpshinned Hawk..15
Broadwinged Hawk...26
Redtailed Hawk...........4
American Kestrel.......12
Merlin...........................2
Peregrine Falcon.........1
Total............................88
American Kestrels
Broadwinged Hawk
Sharpshinned Hawk
Year to date we have now seen 142 raptors,which is the high end of normal for August,and a terrific start to the 2010 count season. Things will slow down with the expected heat and humidity coming...watch for the next winds with a north element. Watch the first Friday in September.
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