October 8th - 33 Birds Today!

A fairly quiet day in the park today, many folks are probably up north or just taking it easy this long weekend. Not many birders either today.

Today:
Northern Harrier - 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 27
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 1
Total - 33

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1379
Osprey - 114
Bald Eagle - 55
Northern Harrier - 151
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1411
Cooper's Hawk - 54
Northern Goshawk - 10
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 756
Red-tailed Hawk - 100
American Kestrel - 587
Merlin - 76
Peregrine Falcon - 25
Total - 4722

Cooper's Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk (adult)

Red-tailed Hawk

Lots of Kinglets around again today. Red-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Downy Woodpecker also seen. In the world of butterflies not much is being observed now: Sulphurs, Whites, and still a few Monarchs moving through.

Our bird watchers today were: Berle, Mike 2, Mike 3, and Allison.

Walter

October 7th - Just 3!

Another fantastic fall day brought very very few our way. I left by lunch time.

Today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 3
Total - 3

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1379
Osprey - 114
Bald Eagle - 55
Northern Harrier - 148
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1384
Cooper's Hawk - 53
Northern Goshawk - 10
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 756
Red-tailed Hawk - 99
American Kestrel - 586
Merlin - 76
Peregrine Falcon - 25
Total - 4689

There was another Goshawk sighting today but I'm not going to count it just yet. I'm starting to think that it's hanging around along the bluffs somewhere. Today it was carrying a small animal.

Speaking of small animals, Pat saw the local Red-tail swoop down and grab a squirrel that Nancy was trying to feed. By the time the bird flew by us seconds later he'd dropped the squirrel. He then flew to the east side of the park where he continued to hunt. He swooped down and landed on a branch just 5 feet away from Bob who was quietly photographing a Kinglet.

On hand today just incase things picked up were: Bob, Terry 2, Pat, Nancy, Phil, Peter, Betty, and Cori.

Walter

Special Post - Thankyou!

I would like to take this time to let everyone know that I've had endless positive feedback and sincere thankyous about how welcoming we all are and how quick we are to share our hobby with others joining us for the first time and also folks just passing by on walks through the park. The plethora of excellent photographs displayed on our Blog page has drawn several new people down to the Watch and to the park itself.

I would just like to say thankyou to all of you for making the Raptor Watch a huge success once again this year.

Walter

October 6th - Nothing But Blue Skies!

Another beautiful day to be out and at the park but not too great for hawk watching.

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Osprey - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 5
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Northern Goshawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 1
Merlin - 2
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 16

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1379
Osprey - 114
Bald Eagle - 55
Northern Harrier - 148
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1381
Cooper's Hawk - 53
Northern Goshawk - 10
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 756
Red-tailed Hawk - 99
American Kestrel - 586
Merlin - 76
Peregrine Falcon - 25
Total - 4686

A few more excellent shots of a Northern Goshawk.

Lots of cute little Golden-crowned Kinglets around today leaping from branch to branch in search of a meal. There seemed to be more Cabbage White butterflies in and around the flower beds today with the warmer weather. On the office wall were several different moths including a beautiful Pandora Sphinx.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Pandora Sphinx Moth

Today's hawk watchers included: Theresa, Terry 2, Terry, Berle, Peter, Cori, Phil, Ann, Lee, and a class of kids from Cliffside PS. Thank you all.

Walter

October 5th - Mysterious End To The Day.

Everyone who came today expected a good day again watching the birds of prey pass over but for some mysterious reason that just didn't happen. I'll be curious to see what other Watch's saw today. I would imagine either the birds were further north or perhaps we simply ran out of birds and we'll have to wait for the next wave of them to come through, it does happen. Today, very few birds were seen after about 10:00 AM. Oh well, to get over 100 birds on a slow day is still fabulous!

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 88
Osprey - 2
Northern Harrier - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 11
Cooper's Hawk - 4
Northern Goshawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
American Kestrel - 3
Merlin - 2
Total - 114

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1377 (new 'year' record!)
Osprey - 113
Bald Eagle - 55
Northern Harrier - 148
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1376
Cooper's Hawk - 52
Northern Goshawk - 9
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 756
Red-tailed Hawk - 98
American Kestrel - 585
Merlin - 74
Peregrine Falcon - 23
Total - 4670

2 wonderful photos of the big female Northern Goshawk that came to visit.

Lots of little warblers, kinglets, and others throughout the park today. Also a Northern Mockingbird flew over heading east. In the morning the Blue Jay migration continued in grand fashion with several layers of birds passing over us at the same time.

Many watchers today including: BIGFRANK, Ann, Lee, Felicity, Terry 2, Bob, Berle, Bill, Hugh, Theresa, Dave, Norm, Freida, Betty, Carol, Peter, Cori, and Bruce.

A note from BIGFRANK:
I thought Id let everyone know what a great time I had at the watch the past several days. It was great to reconnect with my old friends and make some new ones. Walter is doing a terrific job of running things in my abscence and its great to see so many people contributing their photos and expertise to the blog. It was as always a pleasure sharing the many hundreds of birds with all of you! BIGFRANK

Thanks Frank, I think I can speak for the gang and say it's been a real joy for us having you back (albeit short) sharing your vast knowledge, great stories, and good humour. And for me personally, it's been an absolute thrill knowing that you were on hand to observe the biggest day ever at Rosetta and to see so many of the old count records fall once again. Take care and see you back again soon.

Walter

October 4th - There's Yesterday...

...And Then There's Today!

Our 2nd big number day of the month already, that's excellent news! The 3rd bird that flew over the park today was the 35,000th raptor ever counted at Rosetta, it was a cute little Sharpie.

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 393
Osprey - 5
Bald Eagle - 12 (adult 1:40) (juvenile 12:15 x2, 1:25, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:05, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40, 3:22)
Northern Harrier - 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 103
Cooper's Hawk - 6
Northern Goshawk - 3
Broad-winged Hawk - 8
Red-tailed Hawk - 34
American Kestrel - 24
Merlin - 3
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 602

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1289
Osprey - 110
Bald Eagle - 52
Northern Harrier - 146
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1364
Cooper's Hawk - 48
Northern Goshawk - 8
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 756
Red-tailed Hawk - 95
American Kestrel - 581
Merlin - 72
Peregrine Falcon - 23
Total - 4556

Today's numbers would not have been possible without the wonderful help spotting and IDing from: BIGFRANK, Berle, Terry 2, Theresa, Tom, Hugh, Bill, Ron, Pat, Nancy, Lee, Phil, Allison, Cori, Betty, Ann, Richard, and anyone I might have missed. Thanks to all.

Walter

October 3rd - Quiet Again Today!

With scattered showers all around today not much was flying. It was one of those 'more birders than birds' type of days. Oh well, we'll try again tomorrow. It will be better!

Today:
Osprey - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 5
American Kestrel - 1
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 9

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 896
Osprey - 105
Bald Eagle - 40
Northern Harrier - 138
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1261
Cooper's Hawk - 42
Northern Goshawk - 5
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 748
Red-tailed Hawk - 61
American Kestrel - 557
Merlin - 69
Peregrine Falcon - 20
Total - 3954

A few small flocks of Blue Jays and Pine Siskins flying through today. Many different species of songbirds around the park as well.

The group today included: BIGFRANK, Bob, Terry 2, Berle, Betty, Hugh, Bill, Peter, Pat, Phil, and Ann.

Walter

October 2nd - Lots O' Rain Today

BIGFRANK arrived early again today and had another list of birds ready by the time I got there. As the rain came and went we waited under the tall Spruces enjoying a good chat with others, downing coffee after coffee, and munching on cookies & donuts. Many thanks again to those kind folks who contribute to the Watch with food and drink, it's very much appreciated.

Peter was at the park late in the afternoon and added 8 more birds to the count including an Osprey and 3 more Eagles. One of the Eagles he saw actually landed in the Poplar tree on the bluffs. That must have been amazing to see.

Today:
Osprey - 1
Bald Eagle - 4 (adult 3:28, juvenile 7:52, 3:48, 4:45)
Northern Harrier - 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 10
Northern Goshawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
American Kestrel - 26
Merlin - 2
Total - 52

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 896
Osprey - 104
Bald Eagle - 43
Northern Harrier - 139
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1257
Cooper's Hawk - 42
Northern Goshawk - 5
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 748
Red-tailed Hawk - 62
American Kestrel - 557
Merlin - 69
Peregrine Falcon - 19
Total - 3945

Lots of Warblers, Thrushes, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and White-throated Sparrows around the park this morning. Several small flocks of Pine Siskins were observed flying by in both directions. One flock was unsuccessfully attacked by a passing Merlin.

A few brave souls came out today including: BIGFRANK, Bob, Lorne, Gunnar, Mike 2, Pat, Nancy, Ron, and then Peter later in the day.

Walter