Hola Birders,
These first nine days of October have been interesting and inconsistent. We've
counted greater than a thousand raptors three times so far this month. The 1st
produced 1,286; the 3rd had 1,409 and the 5th had 1,949. Do you see the
pattern? No consecutive 'big count' days. What's going on? If you can answer
that question please write back or feel free to call me at any time of
night...I'll be up.
The past three days have continued on a downward trend. The 7th produced 280
birds, the 8th 216 and today we saw 151 raptors. I believe that poor weather,
cloudless days and a weak migration are to blame.
Here's today's breakdown:
BLVU: 25
TUVU: 7
OSPR: 1
NOHA: 2
SSHA: 47
COHA: 34
RTHA: 3
AMKE: 19
MERL: 2
PEFA: 9
UnAcc: 2
Total: 151
Osprey and Peregrine season numbers are already greater than the previous two
years final tally! Kestrel numbers continue to be low. Are you seeing greater
Kestrel numbers at your Hawkwatch site this season? Please let me know! We're
looking forward to the forthcoming front to shove another thousand birds our
way.
Plan on coming out soon, just don't come the day after a big count, you might
not see too much!
Good day and good birding,
-Sam Stuart
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