Greetings from the Eastern Shore. In case any of you were wondering, the
raptor banding at Kiptopeke State Park is alive and well. As of this afternoon,
we've trapped 415 raptors of 7 species. The season average is just under 11
hawks per trapping day. Totals are at the end of the message.
We're supposedly beyond the peak for the season, yet the raptors are making a
strong showing. This recent spell of high pressure and westerly winds has
been a boon to the trapping totals. Especially since it followed a rainy,
drizzly
period that kept large numbers of hawks to our north. All of these birds
showed up and didn't want to head over the water so have been lingering and
feeding on the abundant songbirds and swallows. We've seen many an accipiter
with
engorged crops. Monday and Tuesday of next week look promising for decent
raptor
flights, so come on out to the park if you get the chance.
For the period 15-20 October, we banded 105 raptors. Highlights include: an
adult male Merlin (first one banded at the park in several years and my
personal favorite) on the 15th; a fierce adult male Cooper's hawk on the 17th
(I'm
convinced this bird is what robins have nightmares about); an adult male
Peregrine (tundra bird) on the 18th, which is a very uncommon capture -
absolutely
gorgeous and brought the adult peregrine total to 3; and an adult male Northern
harrier today - words can't express how dapper he was.
We're starting to catch and see many more adults on the shore, which makes
for exciting days. Today was spectacular, as the weather went from stagnant and
hazy with light southerly winds to cloudy and cool with moderate NE winds. The
shift in birds was dramatic and things started moving as soon as the weather
changed. We saw an impressive flight of Merlins, which is odd for this late in
the season. The little marauders were wreaking havoc on the poor swallows and
yellow-rumps. But what fun to watch. Accipiters came on strong, as well. Ol'
Sam had his hands full on the platform and recorded his first 1000+ day for
fall 2005. Sometimes you never can tell how a day will shape up in the morning.
Our fingers are crossed for several more solid accipiter flights since they
seem to be a bit late this year. And Merlins...when will they stop coming?
We're
not complaining, though.
Totals as of 20 October:
N. harrier - 6
Sharp-shinned hawk - 72 (very low)
Cooper's hawk - 98 (again, very low)
Red-tailed hawk - 11
American kestrel - 53
Merlin - 153
Peregrine - 21 (includes 3 adults)
Total: 415
Best to all,
Zach Smith, Official CVWO Hawk wrangler
