Today's raptor migration count started off cold, wet, and birdless. But an
amazing group of birders who are hard core toughed it threw the miserable
weather and was rewarded with an exciting afternoon when the majority of
the birds flew by in 2 hours. We were hopping to identify them!
Here are the numbers:
Total migrating raptors counted: 150
Total species: 9 (included turkey vultures)
Total Observers: 13
Bald Eagle - 1
Northern Harrier - 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 63
Cooper's Hawk - 28
Northern Goshawk (adult male) -1 (a juvenile female was spotted heading
north but not counted)
Red-tailed Hawk - 17
Merlin - 4
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Unidentified Accipiter - 6
Unidentified Buteo - 1
Unidentified Raptor - 2
Some of the non-raptor species seen today: ~200 snow geese, varied
thrushes, stellar's jay, ruby-crowned kinglet, ravens
Our raptor counters today were Chuck Philo, Wayne Hoffman, Mariena Swarens,
Erik Kancler, Chuck Gates, Cathy Beck, Jan Rising, Peter Low, Sasha
Travaglio, David Braunschwiger
We also had 4 visitors.
Leanna Taylor