Wind (current)

September 2nd - Unusual Flight After The Rain

Sorry for the delay but I find it extremely difficult to type while my eyes are closed!

This afternoon we observed a very unusual flight after the noon-time 'monsoon-style' rain.  Most birds that we saw today flew in both directions.  Some went east first and then west while others went west first only to return to the east.  At one point it seemed that we had far more birds heading east than west.  I've never witnessed this type of activity before, at least not to this extent.  Very confusing!  I'm not going to count any of the Sharpies seen today as they did not appear to be migrating.

Today:
Osprey - 1
Bald Eagle - 1
Northern Harrier - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Total - 5

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 24
Bald Eagle - 7
Northern Harrier - 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 36
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 7
Red-tailed Hawk - 13
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 16
Merlin - 5
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 125

Eagle Time (EDT):
04:10 PM - BE immature (non-adult)

Here are a few photos from the day courtesy of Mike Poissant.

One of the many 'back and forth' Sharpies.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (sub-adult)
Note the different colour and pattern on the breast and belly
compared to the younger Sharpie photographed above.  Also,
note the eye colour is not red as in full adult stage.

A gorgeous young Northern Harrier.

Dragonflies were out in ridiculous numbers this afternoon!  Sadly, only one Monarch was seen again today.

Tomorrow's predicted wind is W 20 km/h switching to NW 20 km/h by mid-day.  That should get the party started!

Walter

No comments: