14 Redtails 1 Short of 1000. YTD....7253..Bohemian Waxwings Seen

Today was slow, but we did add to our already record season total, and fell just one Redtailed Hawk short of our 1000th for the season. We hung in as long as we could waiting for one. Twice the local juvenile Redtail made appearances giving us false hope near the end of the day, only to turn back before going the length of the park.(also ID'd from photos as local). It just means Walter and I have an excuse to go back tomorrow!! 
   We did get out 20th Golden Eagle of the season!! I managed a useable proof shot.

   

  
 Paul Reeves got some amazing photos today of the local Redtail. A beautiful flight shot, and a series of 5 shots taken in not much more than a second or two, of the Redtail and 2 American Crows having a run at one another. Note in one shot the Redtail is upside down trying to grab the harassing crow. Thanks to Paul for this interesting series of shots!

Click the image above for a larger version.

 

Through Walter: Here's the facts and figures...

Turkey Vulture- 1
Northern Harrier- 1(beautiful adult male)
Sharpshinned Hawk - 1
Redtailed Hawk- 14
Golden Eagle- 1 (Juv. 11:45)
Peregrine Falcon- 1
Total Raptors- 19

Other species seen today were: Common Raven, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Cedar Waxwing  and new bird species for the park - #197 Bohemian Waxwing.
     The first visit by the Bohemian Waxwings(Frank) I was with Paul and Tom, they landed only briefly. I excitedly called Walter who was on his way to the park. Later in the day they landed and ate, allowing time for Paul to get some great shots of Bohemian and Cedar Waxwing. Note the Bohemian Waxwings red bum/vent are and grayer overall colour as compared to the white bum/vent of the Cedar Waxwing and yellow on the chest.

Bohemian Waxwing above 

 

Cedar Waxwing above

 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker above. You can see the row of newly pecked holes, that pattern is how to tell a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has been at the tree. 

 

Pileated Woodpecker. (female the black moustache(males is red) and incomplete cap (males is further forward on the head))

Harry,Tom,  Zoey, Peter, Mike 4, Phil, Ron, Paul, Terry 2, Hugh,Vince, Randy, Carol, and Cori were all in attendance over parts of the day. Thanks for the spotting help on a challanging day. The chatter was alot of fun and I think some learned a few things too.
     Tomorrow doesnt look great but I will likely venture down for a few hours in hopes of seeing at least one Redtailed Hawk. With the great smaller birds we have been seeing, that alone will be worth the trip. The next day with a good forecast for raptor migration looks like it is next Wednesday the 14th. It will certainly be worth checking out , if the NW winds hold out, especially after a good day or rain.