While today was abit slow,it didnt lack highlights,both numerical and bird. We recorded our 74th Peregrine Falcon sighting of the season,this is one higher then last seasons high of 73. At 210pm,Jean spotted an Eagle over Lake Ontario. Soon with Bill,Hugh and Jean all scoping the bird,it eventually showed us the unmistakeable field marks of a juvenile Golden Eagle,our first of the season. For Hugh this was a life bird. For Bill it was the first one he has seen in Ontario.
The "local" Northern Goshawk gave all gathered quite a thrill as it blasted past us,bluffside screaming past Berle and I very closely,while being chased by several Crows. It really woke us up! A low heavy flapping Turkey Vulture fooled me as I went for my camera and mistakenly called it a Golden Eagle. Bill corrected me and I snapped a photo quickly.
Redtailed Hawk over sparkling Lake Ontario.
Todays total of 48 raptors was:
1-Turkey Vulture
6-Northern Harrier
20-Sharpshinned Hawk
1-Coopers Hawk
15-Redtailed Hawk
1-Golden Eagle(juvenile at 210pm)
1-American Kestrel
2-Merlin
1-Peregrine Falcon
In the morning,Walter,Bruce and I saw thousands of Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins. There were also many Cedar Waxwings. A real surprised was over 160 Common Loons in the lake. We also saw thousands and thousands of Red-breasted Mergansers. They gathered in a massive raft,before a boat disturbed them and they took to the air. It was an amazing sight!! Mergansers filled the sky over the lake. If anyone is present Saturday,please let Walter or I know what you see. Its very likely we will both take a day off. Winds tomorrow will not be condusive to much of a flight. Good luck if you try. Until Thursday we dont expect much of a flight. Bathrooms are no longer open on weekends. It is very likely that beyond next Friday they will be closed for the season.
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