October 25th - Now Our 2nd Best Year Ever!

Wow, 12 out of a possible 15 species today including our first Rough-legged Hawk of the season. During the morning many birds flew by low providing excellent views and photo ops. 43 Turkey Vultures passed by so low that only a couple were seen above the treeline. Terry, Betty and I went up to Kingston Road to count them as they kettled over Birchmount Park. In the afternoon many of the birds appeared much higher in the sky. We watched as many Red-tails, a couple of Eagles, a Roughie, and a few others soared overhead. The dark clouds and rain moved in to the area around 3:30 PM sending everyone packing.

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 111
Bald Eagle - 3 (juvenile 1:20, 1:45, 2:15)
Northern Harrier - 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 51
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Northern Goshawk - 2
Red-shouldered Hawk - 7
Red-tailed Hawk - 117
Rough-Legged Hawk - 1
Golden Eagle - 1 (juvenile 1:50)
Merlin - 2
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 301

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1847
Osprey - 125
Bald Eagle - 61
Northern Harrier - 186
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1721
Cooper's Hawk - 79
Northern Goshawk - 16
Red-shouldered Hawk - 18
Broad-winged Hawk - 757
Red-tailed Hawk - 253
Rough-legged Hawk - 1
Golden Eagle - 2
American Kestrel - 620
Merlin - 127
Peregrine Falcon - 42
Total - 5855

Rough-legged Hawk

Golden Eagle

Bald Eagle

Northern Goshawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Turkey Vulture

Northern Harrier

Thousands of Blackbirds, Starlings, Waxwings, and Robins flying through again early this morning including many small flocks of Eastern Bluebirds. A juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker was a great surprise today. It appeared in the big maple tree right behind us and then flew over to the apple tree before moving on to the spruce trees.

My thanks to everyone for their help in spotting and ID'ing so many high and far birds today. Watchers today included: Terry 2, Freida, Berle, Betty, Pat, Nancy, Ann, Tom, Theresa, Norm, Phil, Peter, Gunnar, Lee, Allison, Carol, and Cori.

Please note if you're thinking of joining us at the Raptor Watch the washrooms are now closed for the season.

Walter