September 21st - Silhouette Day!

With today's fog and overcast skies, it was a real challenge trying to ID some of the birds. A few of the Sharpies magically morphed in to Kestrel as they flew overhead. Many of today's birds flew above us or just out over the bluffs and many were gliding a little further as well indicating that they were flying on air rising up from the bluffs. This happens with any winds from the south or southwest.

Just when I think it's over:
As I finished packing everything up and was ready to leave I looked up one more time only to see a Sharp-shin fly through, then a Kestrel...so back to the fence I went. Within a minute of standing there an Osprey appeared over the trees, then another Sharp-shin. That was the last bird I saw before the rain moved in.

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 1
Osprey - 2
Northern Harrier - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 54
American Kestrel - 11
Merlin - 3
Total - 73

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 45
Osprey - 60
Bald Eagle - 27
Northern Harrier - 69
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 863
Cooper's Hawk - 15
Northern Goshawk - 2
Broad-winged Hawk - 742
Red-tailed Hawk - 10
American Kestrel - 232
Merlin - 46
Peregrine Falcon - 7
Total - 2118

American Kestrel

Our watchers and visitors today included: Ann, Theresa, Carol, Rodger, Jane, Betty, Terry 2, and Murray.

Tomorrow (Thursday) I will more than likely not be at the park at all so if you go and you do see any raptors, please let me know as soon as you can.

Walter