Hawk Watch Sunday September 26, 2010

It started off a little chaotic on the platform yesterday morning with migrating birds coming from every plausible direction it seemed because of the very light Northeast wind. Once the wind picked up to a moderate speed, however, the birds seemed to pick a more concrete flight path and a steady stream of raptors made its way through Cape May Point. There were lots of Sharp-shinned Hawks, falcons (American Kestrels, Merlins, and Peregrines), Northern Harriers, and a few Bald Eagles as well. The rain made its appearance known in the late morning and continued throughout the day off and on.

Visitors were also treated to 2 Dickcissels foraging with the House Sparrow flock just below the platform, a flyover Common Loon, and a very cooperative Yellow-billed Cuckoo that stuck around for most of the day. There were the regular Bald Eagle vs. Osprey chases throughout the day, and even a Bald Eagle chase in the afternoon. We had a total of 3 beautiful adult Bald Eagles fly out right in front of the platform very suddenly. Apparently, 2 of the adults did not like the newcomer and proceeded to chase him off the premises.

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 26, 2010
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             46             46
Turkey Vulture               0            198            198
Osprey                     132           2624           2624
Bald Eagle                  10            172            172
Northern Harrier            44            417            417
Sharp-shinned Hawk         872           4716           4716
Cooper's Hawk               56            835            835
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              5              5
Broad-winged Hawk           14            449            449
Red-tailed Hawk              2            137            137
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel           188           2731           2731
Merlin                      89            728            728
Peregrine Falcon            27             95             95
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              0

Total:                    1434          13154          13154
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Observation start time: 05:45:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10.25 hours

Official Counter:        Melissa Roach

Observers:        

Weather:
Northeast winds throughout the day with 100% cloud cover for the vast
majority of the day.  Rain developed in the late morning and continued with
scattered showers for the remainder of the day.

Raptor Observations:
Good numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks and falcons.


Non-raptor Observations:
1 Common Loon (flyby); 2 Dickcissel foraging below the platform; 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo