Aug 17th - Osprey, Bald Eagle, & Butterflies

At the time of writing it's very early in the morning so this is going to be as short as possible.

Today:
Osprey - 1
Bald Eagle - 1
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Total - 3

To Date:
Osprey - 1
Bald Eagle - 1
Northern Harrier - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 2
Merlin - 1
Total - 9

Eagle Time (EDT):
BE - 01:19pm

A young Bald Eagle (Walter)

(Not sure why it's beak appears pointed - likely the lousy photo)

Other Birds:

Mallard

Common Raven - 3

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

When I first saw these Ravens they were kettling with about

15 pigeons far over the east side of the park.

Butterflies:

Black Swallowtail - 1

Giant Swallowtail - 1 (briefly landed)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - 1

Cabbage White - many

Monarch - 25 (18 netted, weighed, measured, tagged, and released)

White Admiral - 1

American Lady - 2

Red Admiral - 4

Mourning Cloak - 1

Silver-spotted Skipper - 9

Fiery Skipper - 3

White Admiral - not a common visitor to the gardens (Walter)

A female Black Swallowtail (Walter)

Tagged Monarch WBA 393 nectaring after being released (Walter)

Mammals:

American Red Squirrel

Hawkwatchers:

Allison, Ron, Carol, Terry, Betty, Berle, Vickie and Diana, and Leon.

A special thankyou goes out to our friend Sarah.  Sarah sent me a text message letting me know that she had just watched an eagle flying along the bluffs.  She wasn't aware that the Hawk Watch had already started and that I was at the park.....actually at the time I received the message I was in the main garden watching butterflies.  Luckily, myself and a few others got over to the fence just in time to see the bird soaring along just out from the bluffs.  What a beautiful sight!  Our first eagle!  Time between 'message' and 'bird' was less than two minutes!

Weather Prediction:

Sunny with the risk of a thunderstorm!  The Weather Network

Walter