Almost There!!...252 Raptors...YTD...6915...New Seaon Golden Eagle Record

(Thanks to Mike Poissant for the Redtail photo)

Today as expected there was another excellent count. While most birds were much higher up than expected, all gathered had a great day. 5 Golden Eagles brought another record for the season. The old best year we had 12 and that is now 15 and counting. 2 juvenile Golden Eagles went by almost together with a 3rd very nearby. The 2 circled with a Redtailed Hawk allowing a great size comparison.

    On the heals of that sighting, we saw 2 young Bald Eagles circle together. A 7 eagle day WOW!
     A few Red-shouldered Hawks came low and close, always beautiful to see. Northern Goshawks made a good showing again with 4 more Goshawks being seen. The one that appears to be local again made several close passes of those gathered. At one point there was a chase involving American Crows and the young Goshawk at close range. This was a real thrill to watch.

Thanks to Paul Reeves for this shot. 

Thanks to Mike Poissant for this one.

     A couple of Roughlegged Hawks were seen. I managed a photo, such as it is.

     The bird of the day was of course the Redtailed Hawk. Redtails were all over the sky, from right above us, to over the lake to far more inland. Everyone enjoyed many great views of the Redtails. Seeing many of the colour variations of the Redtails has been very interesting.

Thanks to Ann Brokelman for the above photos and to Paul Reeves for the photos below. 

We certainly enjoyed many different views. Much thanks to our friends for capturing the many looks of the Redtailed Hawks.

Todays Sightings Included
4-Turkey Vultures
2-Bald Eagles(3:15pm)
2-Northern Harriers
12-Sharpshinned Hawks
3-Coopers Hawks
4-Northern Goshawks
12-Redshouldered Hawks
205-Redtailed Hawks
2-Roughlegged Hawks
5-Golden Eagles(11:33am, 2:27pm, 3@2:45pm)
1-American Kestrel
252-Total Raptors

What an incredible day. Thanks to everyone who helped spot, brought Timbits, coffees and hot chocolate. Thanks to my Canadian Peregrine Foundation friends Zoey, Paul, Harry and Toivo for coming out, it was good to see all of you. Walter,Cori and I particularily enjoyed meeting the Coca Family, Elise(also a budding photographer), Elliot(a birding good luck charm) and parents Karen and Maurilio. We are very glad you joined us for the day and look  forward to seeing you all again. It was great to  see such enthusiasm and appreciation from such young nature fans.   Much thanks to Paul,Ann, and  Mike 4 for their photographic contributions as always.  We had quite a crowd, my appologies if I missed anyone. We were glad to host Tony, Paul, Ron, Jean, Carol. Phil(thanks for the ride down), Cori(thanks for the ride home), Mark, Matty, Gunnar, Bruce 4, Norm, Frieda, Mikes 3 and 4, Alex, Janice, Arvo, Chris and those mentioned above. Everyone contributed to spotting and a very enjoyable experience.
  Other species seen were Red-headed Woodpecker, our first Snow Buntings of the season, White-winged Crossbills, Evening Grosbeaks, several Common Loons and at least 10 Red-throated Loons( I admit to losing track as so many hawks were moving) and a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Kinglets, Hermit Thrush and Fox Sparrow were also spotted.
Ann Brokelman caught these shots of the Red-bellied Woodpecker.

 

Tomorrow's weather looks great for another large movement of raptors. We hope you can join us.  Monday winds appear to have lightened so fewer raptors will be seen. This coming Thursday also looks great for another big push of birds...stay tuned.