Report for 9/15:
Sam Evans and were at the tower from 10:30 until 12:30. Due to reasons
beyond our control we had to leave at that time. The weather was mostly
cloudy with fog in the valleys until 11:00, when it began to slowly
breakup. We ended up with about 50% cloud cover, very light and variable
winds, and about a 10 mile visibility. The temperature steadily warmed
into the low 70s. Our first Broad-winged hawks came by at 11:30. Most
were visible with a naked eye due to the good backdrop provided by the
clouds. We ended up with 62 BWH. No other raptors were seen. We saw one
Raven and several Turkey Vultures. Saw or heard Carolina Wren,
White-breasted Nuthatch, Chimney Swift, and several crows down in the
valley. Should be a good weekend for hawks so hope you can make it up
there. The Mendota Festival is in the morning. Jennifer Meade will be
our compiler/counter for tomorrow, and Larry McDaniel will hold the fort
for Sunday. I will be back on Monday. Thanks.
Ron
*Mendota Hawk Watch**
Averages by Species**
2009-2016*_*
Species Eight year Total Average*_
*Osprey: 215 27*
*American Bald Eagle: 195
24*
*Northern Harrier: 28 4*
*Sharp-shinned hawk: 300 38*
*Cooper's hawk: 215 27*
*Northern Goshawk: 6 0 .75*
*Red-shouldered hawk: 28
3.5*
*Broad-winged hawk: 47444 5931*
*Red-tailed hawk:* 164 21*
*Golden Eagle: 11 1.4*
*American Kestrel: 106 13*
*Merlin: 59 7*
*Peregrine Falcon: 121
15*
*Unidentified Raptor: 51
6*
**Only Red-tailed hawks that appear to be migrating are counted. *
