Hola Birders,
Today's count met a premature end due to rains. We did get in several hours of
counting and during that time we tallied 68 raptors and vultures. Again today
an impressive Tree Swallows movement was observed. The previous two days have
yielded estimates of 20,000 and more. Recent poor migratory weather conditions
have provided ample time to count and estimate large Northern Flicker (~1000)
and Blue Jay (~2500) movements as well.
The following is a breakdown of our totals to date followed by a short
comparison to the 2002 and 2003 September counts to this date.
BLVU: 42
TUVU: 90
OSPR: 669
BAEA: 31
NOHA: 140
SSHA: 1,042
COHA: 421
RSHA: 2
BWHA: 588
RTHA: 20
AMKE: 1,267
MERL: 681
PEFA: 88
UnAcc: 5
Total: 5,092
(All following comparisons between 2004 and either 2002 or 2003 refer to data
collected between 9/1 and 9/28 of each respective year unless otherwise noted)
At this date both the 2002 and 2003 seasons were several hundred birds above my
count (5,561 and 5,393 respectively). This years count shows no general trend
towards overall decrease in each species counted. Species that have a similar
count this season, compared to 02 and 03 are: Red-shoulders, Red-tails,
Peregrines and Unidentified Accips.
To date both Vultures are up with numbers around twice that counted at this
date in 02 and 03. Northern Harrier numbers are up too, twice that of 02 and
noticeably more than 03. The 2003 count had greater Merlin, Broad-wing and
Sharpie numbers. The 2002 season had greater Coop, Bald Eagle and Osprey
numbers. In 2002 Merlin and Broad-wing numbers were around half that of this
seasons count and in 2003 Coop numbers were similarly low. The real anomaly,
the thing that ticks me the most is Kestrel numbers. Both the 2002 and 2003
seasons had around 850-450 more counted by this date. Perhaps a big Kes flight
is in store?
This season is different than either the 2002 or 2003 September count to date.
Species numbers contrast all over the board. I'm gonna go a head a blame lame
weather for a lower count than I would like to have by now.
Good day and Good birding,
-Sam Stuart
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.