The gang gathered hoping for a big day. Things started abit slow,but thats not unexpected this time of the season. A few raptors gave us hope. Soon we started to realize that it might just be too much of a good thing. Winds might have been too strong. Redtails and Northern Harriers seen early were really fighting the wind. We did get great views of most birds seen as the strong west element of the strong northwest winds kept the birds very low. 4 Turkey Vultures with 2 Redtailed Hawks represented the start of something big...but no the birds just never came. Our final total of 68 included:
4-Turkey Vultures
7-Northenr Harriers
37-Sharpshinned Hawks
3-Coopers Hawks
13-Redtailed Hawks
2-American Kestrels
2-Merlin
We saw at least 4 Fox Sparrows scratching around in the shadows,2 Great Blue Herons fly by,some Red-breasted Mergansers and 9 Common Loons down on the lake.
At about 11am I got a call from Marion Nash of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. I volunteer extensively with CPF and Marion informed me they had a Peregrine Falcon ready to be released. The bird came to us through the Toronto Wildlife Centre,where it had been brought because it had hit a building. The bird is ok and will be released on Saturday. Marion asked if Id be interested in the bird being released at Rosetta,which I of course said yes! Around noon tomorrow(possibly abit later) the unbanded,suspected to be northern Peregrine will be released,to continue its southbound journey. Plenty of cameras will be present. Lets hope this plan comes to pass!
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