September 1st - Look everybody, it's a Sharpie!

Well, we had another hot and hazy day with a thunderstorm and a few light showers thrown in. On a happier note, we did reach double figures on the bird count for the day, 10 birds in all. A pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks appeared out of the haze right above us. I'd like to thank Terry who returned to the park after the storm only to see an Osprey fly by very close, how lucky!

Today:
Osprey - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 8
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Total - 10

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 10
Bald Eagle - 4
Northern Harrier - 14
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 51
Cooper's Hawk - 3
Broad-winged Hawk - 11
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 13
Merlin - 4
Total - 117

Ann got this shot of a Sharpie flying overhead.


The only other thing of interest at the park today was a little Squirrel Smackdown. 2 of the little Reds were really having a go at one another over a peanut and a little territory. Quite funny to watch. Nancy was able to restore the peace when she threw a handful of nuts to them.

If the weather person is correct and things don't change too much, we may see some birds in between rain showers over the weekend. Monday is looking excellent with N 25kph winds! Hope to see you at the Watch.

Walter

August 31st - We've Done It, 100+ Birds!

As the hot, humid, no wind, no bird days came and went I was really starting to doubt that we would get to the '100 bird' plateau this month. Well, we did it on the very last day! Excellent work spotting birds everyone!

The highlights today came in the late afternoon when Lee and Gord saw an adult Bald Eagle fly by at 5:32 PM and then 20 minutes later a juvenile Bald Eagle flew by. Also during their time at the Watch Lee and Gord saw a Northern Harrier fly passed. Looks like we're going to have to stay much longer at the park from now on.

Today:
Osprey - 1
Bald Eagle - 2 (adult 5:32, juvenile 5:52)
Northern Harrier - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 12
American Kestrel - 1
Merlin - 1
Total - 18

Extras (not counted previously):
Turkey Vulture - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 2
Total - 6

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 9
Bald Eagle - 4
Northern Harrier - 14
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 43
Cooper's Hawk - 2
Broad-winged Hawk - 11
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 13
Merlin - 4
Total - 107

Other birds of note today include: 3 Whimbrel flying together out over the lake heading eastward, a Killdeer which flew right over our heads and a couple of Common Loons heading due south. A Black Swallowtail butterfly, a Clouded Sulphur butterfly, and a 'fresh' female Fiery Skipper were also seen today.

Many thanks to Pat, Nancy, Betty, Peter, Lee, and Gord for all the help today. Also of note, our friend from last year's Watch, Norm, popped in to say "Hi" and see if we were conducting a count this year.

Walter

August 30th - 9 More Birdies

A big thankyou goes out to Terry 2 and Betty who watched and counted the birds today in my absence. Great to know that there are backup counters when needed! I did some much needed gardening and cut up a large branch that fell during the last crazy storm we had. I conducted a mini 'watch' from the yard this afternoon but saw absolutely nothing over a 1 hour period. Many Goldfinches and a Hummingbird in the yard though.

Today:
Northern Harrier - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 1
Merlin - 2
Total - 9

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Osprey - 8
Bald Eagle - 2
Northern Harrier - 13
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 31
Cooper's Hawk - 2
Broad-winged Hawk - 9
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 12
Merlin - 3
Total - 83

I'll be at the park tomorrow (Wednesday) to see if we can squeeze a few more birds out for the month of August. As it appears right now, our next good day might be Sunday or Monday or both...but that could change.

Walter

August 29th - Another 7 Birds

We had another 7 birds fly by us today over Rosetta. Most of the birds seen today were likely 'up-flight birds' (birds that have landed and stayed the night somewhere before the watch site). As these birds continue their southbound journey the next morning, they fly passed the watch site at a fairly low level. Today the birds were seen just above the tree tops.

Today:
Northern Harrier - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 3
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 1
Total - 7

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Osprey - 8
Bald Eagle - 2
Northern Harrier - 11
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 29
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk -8
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 11
Merlin - 1
Total - 74

A Great Egret was seen flying eastward this morning, maybe just going as far as Bluffer's Park.

Carol, Berle, Peter, Pat, Nancy, Terry 2, Gunnar, and Betty all stopped by today.

Walter

August 28th - The Sharpies Are Coming!

With today's massive hurricane (Irene) driving it's way up the east coast, it brought favourable winds from the north to our area. As I arrived this morning at 7:30 AM and just finished setting up, I looked up to see an Osprey rising up above the bluffs out in front of me. Not a bad way to start off the day. With today's birds we've nearly doubled our numbers for the month making the count a little more respectable.

Today:
Osprey - 4
Northern Harrier - 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 19
American Kestrel - 6
Total - 32

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Osprey - 8
Bald Eagle - 2
Northern Harrier - 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 26
Broad-winged Hawk - 7
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 11
Merlin - 1
Total - 67

One of the 4 Osprey seen today.


Other birds of note today were Common Loon, Great Blue Heron, Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Black-and-White Warbler.

Great Crested Flycatcher


Black-throated Green Warbler


Black-and-White Warbler


Magnolia Warbler


I'd like to thank Ann for the wonderful images that she captured today.

Our group of watchers today consisted of: Lorne, Mike #2, Ann, Carol, Colin, Marguerite, Pat, Nancy, Lee, Mike #3, and Berle. Thanks all for your help.

Tomorrow's (Monday) predicted NW 15kph winds might bring a few more birds by our way. Hope to see you at the park.

Walter