Hawk Watch Sunday October 9, 2011

It was another slow but steady day on the platform today. Although the raptor movement wasn't overwhelming, I had plenty of company throughout the entire day because it was the annual Big Sit on the top deck of the platform. Even though the day was pretty slow overall, we had plenty of good food and company.

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2011
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             13             28
Turkey Vulture               0             85            106
Osprey                      27            935           2282
Bald Eagle                   3            131            256
Northern Harrier            14            232            403
Sharp-shinned Hawk         313           5001           8672
Cooper's Hawk               69           1183           1667
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             20             29
Broad-winged Hawk           14            805            884
Red-tailed Hawk              7             55             98
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            30           2361           4571
Merlin                      16            511           1269
Peregrine Falcon            21            228            757
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              0
Swainson's Hawk              0              1              3

Total:                     514          11561          21025
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 06:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10 hours

Official Counter:        Melissa Roach

Observers:        

Weather:
Clear blue skies...again with very light North-northwest winds throughout
the day.

Raptor Observations:
A slow and steady flight dominated by Sharp-shins and Cooper's Hawks.

Non-raptor Observations:
Cackling Goose
========================================================================
Report submitted by Melissa Roach (roach.mc1@gmail.com)
Cape May Hawkwatch information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/