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Aug 1st - 'Tis That Time Once Again!

OMG, where is the time going this year?  The time has come to start brushing up on your hawk watching and identifying skills once again.  Although we are still a few weeks away from any kind of real migration, I'll be at Rosetta almost daily from here forward waiting for the first couple of birds to fly by.  Over the next 2-3 weeks there will likely not be very many raptors migrating passed the Watch site so please do not feel the need to rush down.  Of the over 50,000 raptors that we've counted at Rosetta over the years, only 234 have gone by in the first two weeks.  Not trying to scare anyone away, just making you aware of the situation.  Basically what I'm trying to say is 'I'll be at the concert before it starts instead of arriving during the middle of the first song'.  Having said that, please come and enjoy the park, the flowers, the people and the weather, it's such a beautiful place to be this time of the year!

Betty, Terry, Theresa, Carol, Phil, Pat and Nancy, and myself gathered this morning to officially open the 2014 edition of the Watch!  We even had a ribbon cutting ceremony!  Our roving field reporter Lee checked-in via text message to let us know that she was ready and in position with eyes-to-the-skies.  Several other kind folks stopped by to say hello and wish us well.

Although we didn't see any 'countable' birds today, we did have spectacular views of two local Red-tailed Hawks as well as a flyby from the local Cooper's Hawk.  Overall we counted 31 bird species, 10 butterfly species and 3 mammals for our Fall Season Species Survey.  Of interest today, a total of 8 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were counted.  Some were seen in the main gardens around the Black & Blue Salvia and others were flying along the bluffs heading west.

Here are a few photos from the day (sorry, no birds)

It's official!

Black Swallowtail

Wild Indigo Duskywing

Monarch

Red Admiral

Silver-spotted Skipper

Painted Lady

Northern Broken-Dash

See you soon,
Walter

8 comments:

HowieH said...

Amazing butterfly shots, were they taken with the SX50? It looks like the black swallowtail is ovipositing - can you confirm that?

Angie in T.O. said...

Rob and I hope to get down a couple times during the watch. So glad to hear the Hummingbirds are back! I look forward to seeing them and chasing some Butterflies, but most of all I look forward to seeing the people, most of who we haven't seen since the Christmas gathering!
Angie & Rob

Unknown said...

Hey Walter!, I'm now living in Bobcaygeon. I'll keep you posted as to any action up here. Hope you all have a record setting season! M.

Walter Fisher said...

Hey Howie, I'm not sure. I meant to check today but totally forgot. Will look tomorrow.

Walter Fisher said...

We are looking forward to seeing you and Rob as well. It's been awhile.

Walter Fisher said...

Hey Mary, Hope all is well with you. Thanks for the best wishes and letting us know where you are. Hope to hear from you again soon.

Dan said...

Here's wishing everyone another great season with exciting and spectacular sightings and photo opportunities. May the weather cooperate and keep everyone safe from overhead droppings.

Walter Fisher said...

It's wonderful to hear from you Daniel. Thanks for the well wishes. Please drop in and say hi if you're in the city at any time.