If you missed it, it rained today!
Sunday's predicted winds are still N 20 km/h in the morning switching to NE 15 km/h by the afternoon. This may, or may not put the flight at a higher level. I don't see much in the way of cloud cover so we may, or may not have to work for our sightings. Should be a fabulous day all the same, hope to see you there. Don't forget your binoculars!
Walter
September 6th - A Few Sharpies
So today we got the 'whispy' cloud cover that we were looking for yesterday but the rest of the conditions weren't all that great for hawk migration. Thought there might have been an Osprey or two or even a Peregrine fly by on the southwest wind.
Today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 22
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Total - 23
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 17
Osprey - 47
Bald Eagle - 26
Northern Harrier - 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 325
Cooper's Hawk - 4
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 54
Red-tailed Hawk - 27
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 73
Merlin - 10
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 595
Today Peter, Ron, Terry, Arvo, Trudy, Berle, Phil, Betty, and new friend Malcolm enjoyed a few birds.
Tomorrow's forecast calls for a 70% chance of isolated showers in the morning and 80% chance of thundershowers in the afternoon. Sunday's predicted N 25 km/h wind sounds perfect.
Walter
Today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 22
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Total - 23
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 17
Osprey - 47
Bald Eagle - 26
Northern Harrier - 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 325
Cooper's Hawk - 4
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 54
Red-tailed Hawk - 27
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 73
Merlin - 10
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 595
Today Peter, Ron, Terry, Arvo, Trudy, Berle, Phil, Betty, and new friend Malcolm enjoyed a few birds.
Tomorrow's forecast calls for a 70% chance of isolated showers in the morning and 80% chance of thundershowers in the afternoon. Sunday's predicted N 25 km/h wind sounds perfect.
Walter
September 5th - 17 Bald Eagles!!!
First off I'd like to thank everyone for an amazing job in finding so many birds up in all that blue sky. Not a single decent cloud to use as a reference! The totals would not be near as high if it wasn't for all your searching and pointing. This was likely the hardest day for hawk watching that I've ever experienced. The best line of the day was, "It's up in the blue!" Also, my thanks to those who helped out with our first Pizza Day of the season. It was great to see so many people out.
We managed to see and identify 11 of our 15 species of regularly seen raptors. The other 4 species do not fly early in the migration.....so we saw everything we could. We may have missed a few birds up there but what we saw was spectacular!
Today:
Turkey Vulture - 11
Osprey - 7
Bald Eagle - 17
Northern Harrier - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 141
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 44
Red-tailed Hawk - 8
American Kestrel - 50
Merlin - 3
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 284
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 17
Osprey - 47
Bald Eagle - 26
Northern Harrier - 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 303
Cooper's Hawk - 4
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 54
Red-tailed Hawk - 26
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 73
Merlin - 10
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 572
Eagle Time (EDT):
10:45 AM - BE adult
11:05 AM - BE immature (non-adult)
11:25 AM - BE immature (non-adult)
11:40 AM - BE immature (non-adult)
11:44 AM - BE immature (non-adult)
12:10 PM - BE adult
12:10 PM - BE adult
12:29 PM - BE adult
12:29 PM - BE adult
01:00 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
01:00 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
01:15 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
01:35 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
03:00 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
03:05 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
03:14 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
03:14 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
Trudy sent along this lovely photo...
Paul got this beautiful shot...
We managed to see and identify 11 of our 15 species of regularly seen raptors. The other 4 species do not fly early in the migration.....so we saw everything we could. We may have missed a few birds up there but what we saw was spectacular!
Today:
Turkey Vulture - 11
Osprey - 7
Bald Eagle - 17
Northern Harrier - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 141
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 44
Red-tailed Hawk - 8
American Kestrel - 50
Merlin - 3
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 284
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 17
Osprey - 47
Bald Eagle - 26
Northern Harrier - 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 303
Cooper's Hawk - 4
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 54
Red-tailed Hawk - 26
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 73
Merlin - 10
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 572
Eagle Time (EDT):
10:45 AM - BE adult
11:05 AM - BE immature (non-adult)
11:25 AM - BE immature (non-adult)
11:40 AM - BE immature (non-adult)
11:44 AM - BE immature (non-adult)
12:10 PM - BE adult
12:10 PM - BE adult
12:29 PM - BE adult
12:29 PM - BE adult
01:00 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
01:00 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
01:15 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
01:35 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
03:00 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
03:05 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
03:14 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
03:14 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
Trudy sent along this lovely photo...
Bald Eagle
Paul got this beautiful shot...
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Today we counted 7 Common Loons, 10 Monarch butterflies, and 1 more Giant Swallowtail. A real treat was seeing our first Common Nighthawk of the season. A second one was seen flying over the park a while later.
A female Monarch
Many dedicated spotters and watchers out today including: Peter, Paul, Kris, Ron, Berle, Betty, Dave, Carol, Richard, Cori, Trudy, Terry, Bruce, plus several others. Again, thank you all!!!
SW 15 km/h wind for tomorrow, see you at the park.
Walter
September 4th - 13 Osprey!
Wow, things are picking-up quickly with all this wonderful wind! Tomorrow should be no exception. Many of today's Osprey passed by the bluffs at eye level providing excellent views and photo ops. Again today, the Sharpies flew over the center of the park and low.
Today:
Osprey - 13
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 50
Cooper's Hawk - 2
Broad-winged Hawk - 3
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 6
Merlin - 2
Total - 77
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 40
Bald Eagle - 9
Northern Harrier - 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 162
Cooper's Hawk - 3
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 10
Red-tailed Hawk - 18
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 23
Merlin - 7
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 288
Here are a few Osprey photos courtesy of me...
Today:
Osprey - 13
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 50
Cooper's Hawk - 2
Broad-winged Hawk - 3
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 6
Merlin - 2
Total - 77
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 40
Bald Eagle - 9
Northern Harrier - 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 162
Cooper's Hawk - 3
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 10
Red-tailed Hawk - 18
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 23
Merlin - 7
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 288
Here are a few Osprey photos courtesy of me...
We also had a 'Herc' from Trenton fly by...
Eight more Monarch butterflies were counted today. The dragonflies polluted the sky for the third day in a row. I don't think I've ever seen so many before.
Hawk watchers today included: Carol, Betty, Berle, Phil, Ron, and Peter.
As mentioned above, tomorrow should be another fantastic day with predicted morning N 20 km/h and afternoon NW 25 km/h winds with gusts up to 40 km/h.
It's also Pizza Day tomorrow! Time: 12:30 PM.
Hope to see everyone out!
Walter
September 3rd - Sharpie Day!
Today was our first day of good migration. Sharpies were the bird of the day. Many passed by low over the park. Later in the day in the afternoon sun we had an adult Bald Eagle up high and out over the lake. Although distant, it was spectacular to watch soar.
Today:
Osprey - 3
Bald Eagle - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 76
Red-tailed Hawk - 4
American Kestrel - 1
Total - 86
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 27
Bald Eagle - 9
Northern Harrier - 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 112
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 7
Red-tailed Hawk - 17
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 17
Merlin - 5
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 211
Eagle Time (EDT):
01:11 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
04:49 PM - BE adult
Here's a Sharpie photo that Paul Reeves took...
We counted 5 Common Loons. Two new species were added to the List today - Red-breasted Merganser and Wilson's Warbler. Another Giant Swallowtail butterfly, our fourth of the season, was seen flying through the park as well as 7 Monarch butterflies that were migrating.
Here's a couple of beautiful dragonfly photos courtesy of Paul Reeves.
From the time that I arrived at the park (6:50 AM) the dragonflies were up flying and by early afternoon they absolutely filled the sky.
At 12:49 PM we watched as 9 Snowbirds flew by at high speed heading east. They appeared to be in full breeding plumage!
Many people were out in anticipation of a good flight, they included: Paul, Ron, Betty, Kris, Pat & Nancy, Bruce 4, Bruce 5, Berle, Phil, Terry, Trudi, Byron, Alex, and Bill. Thank you everybody for your help in spotting the birds today, much appreciated!
Walter
Today:
Osprey - 3
Bald Eagle - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 76
Red-tailed Hawk - 4
American Kestrel - 1
Total - 86
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 27
Bald Eagle - 9
Northern Harrier - 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 112
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 7
Red-tailed Hawk - 17
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 17
Merlin - 5
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 211
Eagle Time (EDT):
01:11 PM - BE immature (non-adult)
04:49 PM - BE adult
Here's a Sharpie photo that Paul Reeves took...
Sharp-shinned Hawk
...and an Osprey that I got.
Osprey
We counted 5 Common Loons. Two new species were added to the List today - Red-breasted Merganser and Wilson's Warbler. Another Giant Swallowtail butterfly, our fourth of the season, was seen flying through the park as well as 7 Monarch butterflies that were migrating.
Here's a couple of beautiful dragonfly photos courtesy of Paul Reeves.
Black Saddlebags
Green Darner
From the time that I arrived at the park (6:50 AM) the dragonflies were up flying and by early afternoon they absolutely filled the sky.
At 12:49 PM we watched as 9 Snowbirds flew by at high speed heading east. They appeared to be in full breeding plumage!
Many people were out in anticipation of a good flight, they included: Paul, Ron, Betty, Kris, Pat & Nancy, Bruce 4, Bruce 5, Berle, Phil, Terry, Trudi, Byron, Alex, and Bill. Thank you everybody for your help in spotting the birds today, much appreciated!
Walter
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.
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
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
September 1st - 4 Birds
Along with the 4 countable birds today, an unidentified dark 'Buteo' was also seen flying low along the bluffs.
Today:
Osprey - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Total - 4
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 23
Bald Eagle - 6
Northern Harrier - 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 36
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 7
Red-tailed Hawk - 12
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 16
Merlin - 5
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 120
Walter
Today:
Osprey - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Total - 4
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 6
Osprey - 23
Bald Eagle - 6
Northern Harrier - 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 36
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 7
Red-tailed Hawk - 12
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 16
Merlin - 5
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 120
Walter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)