Just a quick note to let you know that even though we've only had 2 days of bird flight over the park so far, the numbers would suggest that we're doing just fine. We'll let this current heat wave pass and then we'll get back at 'er. The goal for the month of August is usually to count 100 birds. Let's see what happens.
Our species survey is also doing quite well with 46 birds, 17 butterflies, and 5 mammals being noted so far. I'll have a printed copy on-hand from now on so we'll be able to compare and add species as we see them.
Stay cool!
Walter
Aug 13th - Another Day
Lots of people came and no birds did so here are some photos!
These are from Lee...
This is from me...
Please check out Lee's new Facebook page called Friends of Rosetta McClain Gardens.
Weather Prediction:
Aug 14th - risk of thunderstorms, SW 15km/h switching to W 20km/h, feels like temp 35 degrees! (theweathernetwork.com)
Walter
These are from Lee...
This is from me...
Please check out Lee's new Facebook page called Friends of Rosetta McClain Gardens.
Weather Prediction:
Aug 14th - risk of thunderstorms, SW 15km/h switching to W 20km/h, feels like temp 35 degrees! (theweathernetwork.com)
Walter
Aug 12th - Another Seven!
Another day of northwest wind sent another seven raptors our way. And like yesterday, the action seemed to start around 10:30am. It was one of the most beautiful days weather-wise that I can remember, hope we have more days like this coming up!
Today:
Bald Eagle - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 4
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Merlin - 1
Total - 7
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Osprey - 0
Bald Eagle - 6
Northern Harrier - 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 0
Cooper's Hawk - 0
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 6
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
Amercian Kestrel - 13
Merlin - 1
Peregrine Falcon - 0
Total - 29
Eagle Time (DST):
11:13am - BE (imm)
Here are a few photos from today...
Birds:
Belted Kingfisher - 1 over the park
Cedar Waxwing - several small flocks flying east and west
Double-crested Cormorant - very few out on the lake today
Red-tailed Hawk - 2 locals
Butterflies:
Orange Sulphur - 1
Mammals:
Nothing of note
For those who haven't seen it, this is a great little video that Arvo did for the Weather Network - Point of Viewer - Battling the Elements - Capturing Greatness
Hawk Watchers:
Hugh, Allison, Carol, Phil, Arvo, Betty, Ron, plus a few others. Thankyou!
Weather Prediction:
Aug 13th - mainly sunny, SW 15-20km/h and gusting (theweathernetwork.com)
Walter
Today:
Bald Eagle - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 4
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Merlin - 1
Total - 7
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Osprey - 0
Bald Eagle - 6
Northern Harrier - 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 0
Cooper's Hawk - 0
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 6
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
Amercian Kestrel - 13
Merlin - 1
Peregrine Falcon - 0
Total - 29
Eagle Time (DST):
11:13am - BE (imm)
Here are a few photos from today...
A local Red-tailed Hawk (Arvo)
A Broad-winged Hawk on the move (Arvo)
Birds:
Belted Kingfisher - 1 over the park
Cedar Waxwing - several small flocks flying east and west
Double-crested Cormorant - very few out on the lake today
Red-tailed Hawk - 2 locals
Butterflies:
Orange Sulphur - 1
Mammals:
Nothing of note
Asiana Airlines Airbus A380 over the park! (Walter)
(Enroute from Seoul, South Korea to New York, USA)
For those who haven't seen it, this is a great little video that Arvo did for the Weather Network - Point of Viewer - Battling the Elements - Capturing Greatness
Hawk Watchers:
Hugh, Allison, Carol, Phil, Arvo, Betty, Ron, plus a few others. Thankyou!
Weather Prediction:
Aug 13th - mainly sunny, SW 15-20km/h and gusting (theweathernetwork.com)
Walter
Aug 11th - Making Up For Lost Time!
Well, after several days of not seeing any raptor movement over Rosetta, we made up for lost time today. With northwest wind predicted for the day, I headed to the park early and was surprised to find Kris already there. She knew! Somewhere about 10:30am the birds started to fly over. First two, then another, then another, then a couple more! It was interesting to note that they were all Kestrels at first. That might have been due to the fact that there were so many dragonflies in the air - the Kestrels favourite in-flight snack! It wasn't long after that that we had our first 2 Bald Eagles of the season. They slowly circled and rose up high out over the lake before continuing their flight westward. After the initial flurry things slowed down somewhat and the bird sightings were a little less frequent but still just as exciting - a pair of Broad-winged Hawks, a couple of Turkey Vultures, more Kestrels, and more Eagles! Oh what fun!!! Welcome to the RMGRW 2015!!! HOV lanes coming soon!!!
Today:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Bald Eagle - 5
Broad-winged Hawk - 2
American Kestrel - 13
Total - 22
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Osprey - 0
Bald Eagle - 5
Northern Harrier - 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 0
Cooper's Hawk - 0
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 0
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
Amercian Kestrel - 13
Merlin - 0
Peregrine Falcon - 0
Total - 22
Eagle Time (DST):
11:00am - BE x2 (imm)
12:45pm - BE (imm)
01:20pm - BE x2 (imm)
Here are a few photos from today...
Birds:
Cedar Waxwing - many small flocks flying east and west
Cooper's Hawk - 1 local
Great Egret - 1 over the north end, heading east
Merlin - 1 over the park heading west, returned later
Red-tailed Hawk - 2 locals
Butterflies:
Monarch - 4-5
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - 2
Mammals:
American Red Squirrel - 1
Here are a couple of great shots courtesy of Lee...
Hawk Watchers:
Kris, Pat & Nancy, Allison, Phil, Betty, Lee, and several others who stopped by to say 'hi'. Thankyou!
Weather Prediction:
Aug 12th - partly cloudy, NW 20-25km/h and gusting (theweathernetwork.com)
See you at the park!
Walter
Today:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Bald Eagle - 5
Broad-winged Hawk - 2
American Kestrel - 13
Total - 22
To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Osprey - 0
Bald Eagle - 5
Northern Harrier - 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 0
Cooper's Hawk - 0
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 0
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
Amercian Kestrel - 13
Merlin - 0
Peregrine Falcon - 0
Total - 22
Eagle Time (DST):
11:00am - BE x2 (imm)
12:45pm - BE (imm)
01:20pm - BE x2 (imm)
Here are a few photos from today...
One of our first Kestrels (Kris)
Our first Eagle! (Walter)
Number three Eagle (Kris)
Our last Kestrel (Lee)
Birds:
Cedar Waxwing - many small flocks flying east and west
Cooper's Hawk - 1 local
Great Egret - 1 over the north end, heading east
Merlin - 1 over the park heading west, returned later
Red-tailed Hawk - 2 locals
Butterflies:
Monarch - 4-5
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - 2
Mammals:
American Red Squirrel - 1
Here are a couple of great shots courtesy of Lee...
Hawk Watchers:
Kris, Pat & Nancy, Allison, Phil, Betty, Lee, and several others who stopped by to say 'hi'. Thankyou!
Weather Prediction:
Aug 12th - partly cloudy, NW 20-25km/h and gusting (theweathernetwork.com)
See you at the park!
Walter
Aug 8th - Really Quiet Day!
Not much at all was flying today. A local Red-tailed Hawk flew west and then came back 30 minutes later and an Osprey that Lee spotted out at East Point Park managed to sneak passed me heading west but I saw him on his flight back east with a decent sized fish in his tallons. Other than that, very few song birds or butterflies around. Oh well, it happens!
Walter
Walter
Aug 7th - No Raptors but...
Today was spent back along the fence watching and hoping for our first fall raptor to fly overhead but unfortunately that didn't happen. What did happen was quite interesting though, Ed and I realized that we had taken pictures of two different Black-billed Cuckoos. We compared photos and noticed that the one Ed took (click here to view) on Wednesday was an adult (note the bright red eyering) and the photo that I took and included in the Thursday post was of a juvenile Black-billed Cuckoo (note the pale coloured eyering). Also, the juvenile in my photo has a buffy coloured throat compared to the white throat of the adult bird in Ed's photo. OMG, not one but two Cuckoos!!! Not sure what to make of this but it's pretty darn cool. Neither bird was seen today to my knowledge.
Another great group at the park today including: Terry, Berle, Carol, Kris, Theresa, Allison, Dave, Betty, Lee, Phil, Pat & Nancy, Hugh, and Ron.
The predicted winds out of the east will likely not help in any raptors being seen in the sky over Rosetta but we'll see what happens.
Walter
Another great group at the park today including: Terry, Berle, Carol, Kris, Theresa, Allison, Dave, Betty, Lee, Phil, Pat & Nancy, Hugh, and Ron.
The predicted winds out of the east will likely not help in any raptors being seen in the sky over Rosetta but we'll see what happens.
Walter
Aug 6th - Less the Same but...
For the most part today's raptor watching was not conducted from it's usual spot along the fence, it was done from a bench in the northwest area of the park where yesterday's rarity was seen. As we are not really expecting much so early in the migration I thought I'd take a change and watch to see if the Black-billed Cuckoo would return.
From this vantage point those gathered had an excellent view of the sky above Rosetta and also had a good view to watch for the Cuckoo. After a few hours of searching high and low I saw a bird with a long(ish) tail fly into the top of a tall tree right beside our location. After several minutes in hiding the bird decided to show itself and sat out in plain view on a branch at the top of the tree for all to see. Ed, who discovered the bird yesterday, confirmed that it was the Cuckoo. Oh what fun! This was a 'life bird' for Hugh and 'park bird' #188 for me personally. The bird eventually flew-off in the direction in-which it came.
It's my belief that this bird is staying in the area and is likely feeding on the many berries that are available in this section of the park. After reviewing my photos I've determined that this is a juvenile Black-billed Cuckoo. The pale coloured eye-ring is easy to see in the photo (adults are red in colour). If you go to look for this new visitor, please allow it some space. Although we did nothing wrong today, I feel that our presence might have kept the bird from flying down from atop the tree and feeding in the berry trees below. I will be back along the fence watching for hawks tomorrow.
As you may have guessed, no raptors today.
As most of you know, we do get our fair share of 'crazies' at Rosetta. With the high heat and humidy this summer, they're out in force. Everything from someone in a wheelchair digging-up and stealing rose bushes to a guy uttering vulgar comments and talking highly of people like Charles Manson!!! Please be very cautious and report anything out of the ordinary to the nearest park staffer.
Walter
From this vantage point those gathered had an excellent view of the sky above Rosetta and also had a good view to watch for the Cuckoo. After a few hours of searching high and low I saw a bird with a long(ish) tail fly into the top of a tall tree right beside our location. After several minutes in hiding the bird decided to show itself and sat out in plain view on a branch at the top of the tree for all to see. Ed, who discovered the bird yesterday, confirmed that it was the Cuckoo. Oh what fun! This was a 'life bird' for Hugh and 'park bird' #188 for me personally. The bird eventually flew-off in the direction in-which it came.
It's my belief that this bird is staying in the area and is likely feeding on the many berries that are available in this section of the park. After reviewing my photos I've determined that this is a juvenile Black-billed Cuckoo. The pale coloured eye-ring is easy to see in the photo (adults are red in colour). If you go to look for this new visitor, please allow it some space. Although we did nothing wrong today, I feel that our presence might have kept the bird from flying down from atop the tree and feeding in the berry trees below. I will be back along the fence watching for hawks tomorrow.
Black-billed Cuckoo (Walter)
As you may have guessed, no raptors today.
As most of you know, we do get our fair share of 'crazies' at Rosetta. With the high heat and humidy this summer, they're out in force. Everything from someone in a wheelchair digging-up and stealing rose bushes to a guy uttering vulgar comments and talking highly of people like Charles Manson!!! Please be very cautious and report anything out of the ordinary to the nearest park staffer.
Walter
Aug 5th - Much the Same but...
Today was much the same as yesterday with no migrating raptors flying over Rosetta. We again added a handful of new birds and butterflies to our fall species lists including a very rare visitor to the park - a Black-billed Cuckoo! Only the second one since 2002 that I'm aware of. It may still be around so we'll look for it again tomorrow in the northwest corner of the park where it was seen. A big 'thankyou' to Ed McAskill for letting me know and showing me his photo of the bird. Excellent find!
Lee, Kris, Theresa, Richard, Berle, Gunnar, Rosemary, Ron, Arvo, Brian, and Ed were all at the park today anticipating our first raptor.
We'll try again tomorrow.
Walter
Lee, Kris, Theresa, Richard, Berle, Gunnar, Rosemary, Ron, Arvo, Brian, and Ed were all at the park today anticipating our first raptor.
We'll try again tomorrow.
Walter
Aug 4th - Today and the Long Weekend
Just a quick post to let everyone know that we've been down to the park a couple of times over the last four days but not a lot has been happening.
Betty was there for an hour on Saturday and got a few species to start-off our 2015 Fall Species List including a local Red-tailed Hawk and a couple of the local Turkey Vultures.
Today, I finally made my appearance at the Watch. Needless to say, there were no raptors flying. We added several more species to our growing list of fall birds and butterflies. We are now at 27 bird species and 5 butterfly species.
Arvo sent along this shot of me hanging the count sheet on the fence for the very first time this season. Hopefully soon we'll get a raptor to count!
Joining me today were: Arvo, Hugh, Betty, Ron, Manny, Cori, and Diane. Thanks!
Walter
Betty was there for an hour on Saturday and got a few species to start-off our 2015 Fall Species List including a local Red-tailed Hawk and a couple of the local Turkey Vultures.
Today, I finally made my appearance at the Watch. Needless to say, there were no raptors flying. We added several more species to our growing list of fall birds and butterflies. We are now at 27 bird species and 5 butterfly species.
Arvo sent along this shot of me hanging the count sheet on the fence for the very first time this season. Hopefully soon we'll get a raptor to count!
Joining me today were: Arvo, Hugh, Betty, Ron, Manny, Cori, and Diane. Thanks!
Walter
It's Just a Matter of Days Now!
Hi everyone,
It's hard to believe that the time has come to start thinking about 'big birds heading south' but it is just a matter of days now before it starts to happen. Of course, it will be painfully slow at first so please don't rush down to the park, wait at least till the last two weeks of August. As most of you know, migration will pickup as we head in to September. After the incredible fall count we enjoyed last season, I just don't know what to expect this year at all. It's what makes hawkwatching so fun and interesting! I look forward to everyone's return to the park and also look forward to meeting a few new people as well. My own return will be delayed until August 4th as I'll be out of town for the long weekend. Hopefully that won't throw the fall count off by too much - LOL!!!
You've always been a wonderful and considerate group but please refrain from bringing me a cup of coffee when you come. These days I drink just one cup first thing in the morning, that's it, period! My body is so much healthier because of it. Thanks.
See you at Rosetta!
Walter
It's hard to believe that the time has come to start thinking about 'big birds heading south' but it is just a matter of days now before it starts to happen. Of course, it will be painfully slow at first so please don't rush down to the park, wait at least till the last two weeks of August. As most of you know, migration will pickup as we head in to September. After the incredible fall count we enjoyed last season, I just don't know what to expect this year at all. It's what makes hawkwatching so fun and interesting! I look forward to everyone's return to the park and also look forward to meeting a few new people as well. My own return will be delayed until August 4th as I'll be out of town for the long weekend. Hopefully that won't throw the fall count off by too much - LOL!!!
You've always been a wonderful and considerate group but please refrain from bringing me a cup of coffee when you come. These days I drink just one cup first thing in the morning, that's it, period! My body is so much healthier because of it. Thanks.
See you at Rosetta!
Walter
Jun 7th - Flying with an Eagle
Check this amazing video out and enjoy as you ride on the back of "Darshan", an Imperial Eagle that is released from atop the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, U.A.E. During the last 30 seconds or so, the bird tucks in it's wings and descends to it's handler on the ground with a speed of 170 kph!
Turn the volume down on your computer before watching!
For other great video footage please click here
Fun facts: The CN Tower in Toronto is 1,815 ft tall, The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is 2,717 ft tall! Other projects now underway in various cities around the world will see buildings in-excess of 3,200 ft tall!!!
Walter
Turn the volume down on your computer before watching!
For other great video footage please click here
Fun facts: The CN Tower in Toronto is 1,815 ft tall, The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is 2,717 ft tall! Other projects now underway in various cities around the world will see buildings in-excess of 3,200 ft tall!!!
Walter
Apr 9th - What We've Counted So Far
Was just fudging the numbers around and thought I'd share them with you.
Based on the cumulative total of 61,196 raptors that we've counted over the years at Rosetta, the following is a breakdown in percentages for each species.
36.71% - Sharp-shinned Hawk
24.12% - Turkey Vulture
12.38% - Red-tailed Hawk
08.94% - American Kestrel
05.72% - Broad-winged Hawk
04.05% - Northern Harrier
01.96% - Osprey
01.65% - Cooper's Hawk
01.21% - Merlin
01.11% - Peregrine Falcon
00.99% - Bald Eagle
00.53% - Red-shouldered Hawk
00.29% - Northern Goshawk
00.17% - Rough-legged Hawk
00.16% - Golden Eagle
00.00% - Black Vulture
00.00% - Gyrfalcon
Walter
Based on the cumulative total of 61,196 raptors that we've counted over the years at Rosetta, the following is a breakdown in percentages for each species.
36.71% - Sharp-shinned Hawk
24.12% - Turkey Vulture
12.38% - Red-tailed Hawk
08.94% - American Kestrel
05.72% - Broad-winged Hawk
04.05% - Northern Harrier
01.96% - Osprey
01.65% - Cooper's Hawk
01.21% - Merlin
01.11% - Peregrine Falcon
00.99% - Bald Eagle
00.53% - Red-shouldered Hawk
00.29% - Northern Goshawk
00.17% - Rough-legged Hawk
00.16% - Golden Eagle
00.00% - Black Vulture
00.00% - Gyrfalcon
Walter
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