Sea Watch Count - 12/22/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Snow Goose - 103

Brant - 23

Canada Goose - 672

Tundra Swan - 16

American Black Duck - 38

Mallard - 13

Green-winged Teal - 89

Greater Scaup - 40

Lesser Scaup - 14

Bufflehead - 21

Red-breasted Merganser - 7

Total - 1,036

Notes: This was the last day of the season for the Avalon Sea Watch. The low temps and high wind seemed to be a swift kick to the undertail coverts for many waterfowl, resulting in a nice showing of ducks, geese, and swans with most flocks relatively low (by high flock 'o geese standards).

Thank you to everyone who made this season possible: everyone at the Cape May Bird Observatory and all the sea hardy visitors!

Sea Watch Count - 12/21/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Snow Goose - 17

Canada Goose - 132

Tundra Swan - 12

Razorbill - 8

Total - 169

Sea Watch Count - 12/20/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Snow Goose - 40

Brant - 225

Canada Goose - 139

American Black Duck - 4

Bufflehead - 2

Red-breasted Merganser - 9

American Oystercatcher - 39

Total - 458

Sea Watch Count - 12/19/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Canada Goose - 6

Surf Scoter - 11

Black Scoter - 58

Red-breasted Merganser - 5

Red-throated Loon - 7

Total - 87

Notes: Low Visibility and rain made viewing conditions poor. Two Sanderlings feeding in the parking lot all afternoon was a plus.

Sea Watch Count - 12/18/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Brant - 21

Greater Scaup - 1

Lesser Scaup - 1

Surf Scoter - 1203

White-winged Scoter - 10

Black Scoter - 3554

Long-tailed Duck - 15

Common Goldeneye - 1

Red-throated Loon - 65

Double-crested Cormorant - 5

Total - 4876

Sea Watch Count - 12/17/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 75
Gadwall - 3
American Black Duck - 6
Surf Scoter - 588
White-winged Scoter - 2

Black Scoter - 592
dark-winged scoter - 70

Long-tailed Duck - 17

Red-breasted Merganser - 3

Red-throated Loon - 64

Common Loon - 1
Northern Gannet - 1,026
Bonaparte's Gull - 39
Ring-billed Gull - 2

Dovekie - 1

Total: 2,489

Notes: Today was my final day conducting the seawatch as I'm heading back to the midwest for a prior obligation. I want to thank everyone who came up and kept me company, kept me well supplied with warm drinks and snacks, and helped me out on the major flight days. Many helped, but I want to especially thank Jon Kauffman, who did a terrific job not only being the interpretive naturalist and interacting with visitors, but also in spotting and counting birds when it got busy. Special thanks also go out to Gail Dwyer and Shaun Bamford for their constant company even on the "slow days", and also to Tony Leukering, Cameron Cox, Glenn Davis, Michael O'Brien, Sam Galick, and Clay Sutton for their assistance on the mega days and for their willingness to drop what they were doing to come help me out. It's been an incredible season and I'm extremely honored to have been a part of a truly spectacular migration phenomenon.
-Sean Fitzgerald

Sea Watch Count - 12/16/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Surf Scoter - 374
White-winged Scoter - 7

Black Scoter - 499

Long-tailed Duck - 5

Red-breasted Merganser - 20

Red-throated Loon - 248

Common Loon - 4
Northern Gannet - 64
Bonaparte's Gull - 32
Ring-billed Gull - 11

Total: 1,264

Sea Watch Count - 12/15/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

American Black Duck - 9
Lesser Scaup - 1
Common Eider - 1
Surf Scoter - 411
White-winged Scoter - 12

Black Scoter - 545

Long-tailed Duck - 9

Red-breasted Merganser - 25

Red-throated Loon - 180

Common Loon - 1
Horned Grebe - 1
Red-necked Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 124
Great Cormorant - 1
Bonaparte's Gull - 37
Razorbill - 2

Total: 1,360

Sea Watch Count - 12/14/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Canada Goose - 6
American Black Duck - 48
Green-winged Teal - 16
Greater Scaup - 14
Lesser Scaup - 2
King Eider - 1
Common Eider - 1
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 1,786
White-winged Scoter - 113

Black Scoter - 4,958
dark-winged scoter - 163

Long-tailed Duck - 81
Common Goldeneye - 1
Hooded Merganser - 5

Red-breasted Merganser - 41

Red-throated Loon - 342

Common Loon - 14
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 522
Bonaparte's Gull - 18
Ring-billed Gull - 31
Herring Gull - 18
Great Black-backed Gull - 2
Razorbill - 7
large alcid sp. - 4

Total: 8,197

Sea Watch Count - 12/13/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 236
Canada Goose - 1,334
Tundra Swan - 3
American Black Duck - 9
Mallard - 4
Northern Pintail - 3
dabbler sp. - 8
Greater Scaup - 4
Lesser Scaup - 10
Surf Scoter - 172
White-winged Scoter - 24

Black Scoter - 2,807
dark-winged scoter - 799

Long-tailed Duck - 147
Bufflehead - 4
Common Goldeneye - 4

Red-breasted Merganser - 62

Red-throated Loon - 747

Common Loon - 7
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 102

Double-crested Cormorant - 70
Great Cormorant - 1
Laughing Gull - 2
Bonaparte's Gull - 8
Ring-billed Gull - 32
Herring Gull - 83
Great Black-backed Gull - 7

Total: 6,694

Sea Watch Count - 12/11/08

Observer: Dan Berard

Black Scoter - 32

Long-tailed Duck - 9

Red-breasted Merganser - 43

Red-throated Loon - 19

Total - 103

Sea Watch Count - 12/12/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 101
Brant - 20
Canada Goose - 325
American Black Duck - 17
Greater Scaup - 6
Lesser Scaup - 4
Surf Scoter - 76
White-winged Scoter - 5

Black Scoter - 330

Long-tailed Duck - 55
Bufflehead - 3
Common Goldeneye - 1

Red-breasted Merganser - 6

Red-throated Loon - 438

Common Loon - 11
Red-necked Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 542

Double-crested Cormorant - 157
Bonaparte's Gull - 55
Herring Gull - 37
Great Black-backed Gull - 5

Total: 2,195

Other birds of note: Continuing 1st year Iceland Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Eider (16) and King Eider (both northbound), Marbled Godwit (2 - Townsend's Inlet), and Snow Bunting (1).

Sea Watch Count - 12/10/08

Observer: Dan Berard

American Black Duck - 1

Green-winged Teal - 5

Greater Scaup - 4

Lesser Scaup - 3

Common Goldeneye - 8

Red-breasted Merganser - 39

Red-throated Loon - 57

Total - 117

Note: Heavy fog 75% of the day left visibility almost 0

Sea Watch Count - 12/9/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Canada Goose - 55
American Black Duck - 6
Mallard - 3
Northern Pintail - 2
Green-winged Teal - 64
Greater Scaup - 31
Lesser Scaup - 19
Surf Scoter - 1,562
White-winged Scoter - 46

Black Scoter - 4,231
dark-winged scoter - 182

Long-tailed Duck - 64
Bufflehead - 17
Common Goldeneye - 3
Hooded Merganser - 23

Red-breasted Merganser - 261
Ruddy Duck - 1

Red-throated Loon - 596

Common Loon - 2
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 329

Laughing Gull - 1
Bonaparte's Gull - 94

Ring-billed Gull - 60

Iceland Gull - 1
Glaucous Gull - 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1

Total: 7,656

Sea Watch Count - 12/8/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 10,174
Brant - 159
Canada Goose - 5,377
American Wigeon - 5
American Black Duck - 25
Mallard - 27
Greater Scaup - 79
Lesser Scaup - 24
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 23
White-winged Scoter - 8

Black Scoter - 1,740
dark-winged scoter - 1,161

Long-tailed Duck - 138
Bufflehead - 6
Common Goldeneye - 10
Hooded Merganser - 6

Red-breasted Merganser - 29

Red-throated Loon - 892

Common Loon - 10
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 942
Double-crested Cormorant - 125
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 3

Laughing Gull - 1
Bonaparte's Gull - 57

Ring-billed Gull - 520

Herring Gull - 344
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1

Total: 21,890

Sea Watch Count - 12/7/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 3
Canada Goose - 3
Gadwall - 1
American Wigeon - 9
Greater Scaup - 141
Lesser Scaup - 75
Surf Scoter - 211
White-winged Scoter - 21

Black Scoter - 2,242
dark-winged scoter - 349

Long-tailed Duck - 24
Bufflehead - 1

Red-breasted Merganser - 8

Red-throated Loon - 382

Common Loon - 10
Northern Gannet - 756
Double-crested Cormorant - 55

Laughing Gull - 6
Bonaparte's Gull - 27

Ring-billed Gull - 30

Herring Gull - 127
Forster's Tern - 2

Total: 4,483

Sea Watch Count - 12/6/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 35
Canada Goose - 26
Wood Duck - 5
Gadwall - 2
American Wigeon - 15
American Black Duck - 13
Mallard - 3
Green-winged Teal - 89
dabbler sp. - 41
Greater Scaup - 27
Lesser Scaup - 40
Common Eider - 7
Surf Scoter - 2,338
White-winged Scoter - 115

Black Scoter - 6,895
dark-winged scoter - 2,731

Long-tailed Duck - 66
Bufflehead - 22
Common Goldeneye - 2
Hooded Merganser - 6

Red-breasted Merganser - 46

Red-throated Loon - 1,622

Common Loon - 13
Horned Grebe - 3
Northern Gannet - 746
Double-crested Cormorant - 247
Great Cormorant - 1

Laughing Gull - 11
Bonaparte's Gull - 31

Ring-billed Gull - 48

Total: 15,246

Sea Watch Count - 12/5/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Wood Duck - 3
American Wigeon - 2
American Black Duck - 4
Mallard - 1
Northern Pintail - 1
Green-winged Teal - 6
dabbler sp. - 35
Redhead - 4
Greater Scaup - 71
Lesser Scaup - 57
Aythya sp. - 14
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 140
White-winged Scoter - 12

Black Scoter - 5,345
dark-winged scoter - 953

Long-tailed Duck - 54
Bufflehead - 19
Common Goldeneye - 6

Red-breasted Merganser - 8

Red-throated Loon - 1,318

Common Loon - 12
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 922
Double-crested Cormorant - 858
Great Cormorant - 4

Laughing Gull - 4
Bonaparte's Gull - 5

Ring-billed Gull - 107
Herring Gull - 340
Great Black-backed Gull - 2
Razorbill - 1

American Oystercatcher - 131

Total: 10,441

Sea Watch Count - 12/4/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Red-breasted Merganser - 7

Red-throated Loon - 31

Double-crested Cormorant - 5

Total - 43

Sea Watch Count - 12/3/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Brant - 1

Green-winged Teal - 8

Red-breasted Merganser - 40

Red-throated Loon - 261

Double-crested Cormorant - 159
Great Cormorant - 1

Total - 470

Sea Watch Count - 12/2/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

American Black Duck - 7
Mallard - 1
dabbler sp. - 10
Greater Scaup - 4
Surf Scoter - 111
White-winged Scoter - 8

Black Scoter - 51
dark-winged scoter - 18

Long-tailed Duck - 21

Red-breasted Merganser - 13

Red-throated Loon - 1,083

Common Loon - 31
Horned Grebe - 5
Northern Gannet - 1,184
Double-crested Cormorant - 31
Great Cormorant - 2
Great Blue Heron - 2

Laughing Gull - 18
Bonaparte's Gull - 10

Ring-billed Gull - 57

Total - 2,667

Sea Watch Count - 12/1/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 2
Canada Goose - 55
American Black Duck - 5
Northern Pintail - 1
Greater Scaup - 3
Lesser Scaup - 6
Common Eider - 2
Surf Scoter - 212
White-winged Scoter - 18

Black Scoter - 50

Long-tailed Duck - 10
Bufflehead - 4

Red-breasted Merganser - 133

Red-throated Loon - 629

Common Loon - 18
Northern Gannet - 1,054
Brown Pelican - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 2
Great Cormorant - 1

Laughing Gull - 11
Bonaparte's Gull - 74

Ring-billed Gull - 11

American Oystercatcher - 2

Total - 2,304

Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer and Marbled Godwit continue at Townsend's Inlet. A King Eider (young male) was also observed flying north with Common Eider (7) early in the morning.

Sea Watch Count - 11/30/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

American Black Duck - 2
Greater Scaup - 11
Surf Scoter - 744
White-winged Scoter - 10

Black Scoter - 1,879
dark-winged scoter - 2,905

Long-tailed Duck - 11

Red-breasted Merganser - 116

Red-throated Loon - 250

Common Loon - 4
Northern Gannet - 18

Laughing Gull - 31
Bonaparte's Gull - 3

Ring-billed Gull - 151

Black-legged Kittiwake - 1

Total - 6,136

Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer (21) and Marbled Godwit (6) continue at Townsend's Inlet

Hawk Watch Count 11-30-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0            109            173
Turkey Vulture               0            625           1071
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             36            285
Northern Harrier             0             82            613
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            512          10931
Cooper's Hawk                0            287           4454
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            163            227
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk              0            478            737
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             17             25
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0           2383          25761


Non-raptor Observations:
Around 2,000 Snow Geese flew over the hawk count area.  Two large flocks at
around 700 birds each came together to make a large flock.  They went over
the parking lot together and then flew around past the lighthouse.  They
then flew off to the North, North-East.  Then for the rest of the day I saw
a number of smaller flocks going past. 

Since this is the last official count day I would just like to thank a few
people.  First thanks to Vince Elia and CMBO for the chance to count here.
It has been a great time.  Then I would like to thank all of the local Cape
May birders that have been so nice to me, helped me out, and made me feel
welcome here.  A big thanks also goes out to all of the Interpretive
Naturalist, Lizzie Condon, Ashley Green, Jon Kauffman, and Melissa Roach,
who did a great job at the hawk watch.  Then to the other people I got to
know and live with, Sam Galick, Morning Flight Counter, Erin Cord, Monarch
Intern, and Sean Fitzgerald, Sea Watch Counter, it was great to get to know
you guys, and you are good friends.  Last but not least a big thanks goes
out to Swing Counter, Dan Berard.  Thanks for helping count the count, and
learning the count here with me.  The count has been fun with you Dan. 

Here are just a few notes on the totals of the official season. We counted
over 25,000 raptors this season.  A new single day high count on 10
November of 14 Golden Eagles was recorded.  Over 10,000 Sharp-shinned Hawks
were recorded, and over 1400 Peregrine Falcons.  Another highlight was the
first ever Swallow-tailed Kite counted from the hawk watch platform.  I
will do another blog post about all of the other totals and other notes
from this season.  I will also keep posting the new un-official count
totals and notes for the next two weeks.  

Sea Watch Count - 11/29/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Canada Goose - 2
Wood Duck - 1
Gadwall - 7
American Wigeon - 36

American Black Duck - 31
Mallard - 9
Northern Shoveler - 1
Northern Pintail - 6
Green-winged Teal - 11

dabbler sp. - 14
Greater Scaup - 30
Lesser Scaup - 17
Common Eider - 1
Surf Scoter - 801
White-winged Scoter - 21

Black Scoter - 2,125
dark-winged scoter - 461

Long-tailed Duck - 59
Bufflehead - 6

Red-breasted Merganser - 13

Red-throated Loon - 1,854

Common Loon - 23
Northern Gannet - 4,639
Double-crested Cormorant - 492
Great Cormorant - 1

Laughing Gull - 52
Bonaparte's Gull - 40

Ring-billed Gull - 325

Total - 11,078

Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer (22) at Townsend's Inlet after sunset

Hawk Watch Count 11-29-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture               37            109            173
Turkey Vulture             114            625           1071
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   2             36            285
Northern Harrier             5             82            613
Sharp-shinned Hawk           5            512          10931
Cooper's Hawk               14            287           4454
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk         13            163            227
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk             20            478            737
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             17             25
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                     210           2383          25761


Non-raptor Observations:
Not much else was around.  More Tree Swallows were seen along with more
American Goldfinch.  A few Red-throated Loons and Northern Gannets went by
over the ocean.

Sea Watch Count - 11/28/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 6
Gadwall - 2
American Wigeon - 3

American Black Duck - 30
Green-winged Teal - 14

Lesser Scaup - 4
Surf Scoter - 474
White-winged Scoter - 14

Black Scoter - 98

Long-tailed Duck - 27
Bufflehead - 2

Red-breasted Merganser - 26

Red-throated Loon - 1,771

Common Loon - 20

Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 1,341
Double-crested Cormorant - 13
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 7

Laughing Gull - 79
Bonaparte's Gull - 352
Little Gull - 1

Ring-billed Gull - 221
Iceland Gull - 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1

Total - 4,509

Hawk Watch Count 11-28-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             72            136
Turkey Vulture               0            511            957
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             0             77            608
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            507          10926
Cooper's Hawk                0            273           4440
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            150            214
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk              0            458            717
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             17             25
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0           2173          25551

Non-raptor Observations:
The Ash-throated Flycatcher was still around seen in the state park.  Not
to much else was seen around the Hawk Watch.

Hawk Watch Count 11-27-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             72            136
Turkey Vulture               0            511            957
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             0             77            608
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            507          10926
Cooper's Hawk                0            273           4440
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            150            214
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk              0            458            717
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             17             25
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0           2173          25551


Non-raptor Observations:
An Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen from the park today and another near by
land.  Not from the hawk watch.

Sea Watch Count - 11/26/08

Counter: Dan Berard

American Black Duck - 2

Green-winged Teal - 11

Red-breasted Merganser - 2

Red-throated Loon - 193

Common Loon - 2

Double-crested Cormorant - 4

Total - 214

Hawk Watch Count 11-26-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             72            136
Turkey Vulture               0            511            957
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             0             77            608
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            507          10926
Cooper's Hawk                0            273           4440
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            150            214
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk              0            458            717
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             17             25
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0           2173          25551


Non-raptor Observations:
Many American Goldfinch went over in the first few hours of the day.  Also
many Red-winged Blackbirds, along with a few Common Grackles and Rusty
Blackbirds flew over. 

Sea Watch Count - 11/25/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 6

American Black Duck - 13
Green-winged Teal - 1
Greater Scaup - 2

Lesser Scaup - 2
Surf Scoter - 65
White-winged Scoter - 3

Black Scoter - 17

dark-winged scoter - 33

Long-tailed Duck - 3
Bufflehead - 1

Red-breasted Merganser - 2
Ruddy Duck - 1

Red-throated Loon - 2,198

Common Loon - 27

Northern Gannet - 1,528
Double-crested Cormorant - 52
Great Cormorant - 1

Laughing Gull - 5
Bonaparte's Gull - 34

Ring-billed Gull - 61
Herring Gull - 14
Great Black-backed Gull - 3

Total - 4,072

Hawk Watch Count 11-25-2008

Official Observer: Dan Berard

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             72            136
Turkey Vulture               0            511            957
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             0             77            608
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            507          10926
Cooper's Hawk                0            273           4440
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            150            214
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk              0            458            717
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             17             25
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0           2173          25551


Non-raptor Observations:
A Northern Saw-whet Owl was seen from the platform and then from the side
of the trail.  When looking for the Saw-whet a Long-eared Owl was found.  A
few White-winged Crossbills flew over with American Goldfinch.

Sea Watch Count - 11/24/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 39

Brant - 3
Canada Goose - 52
Gadwall - 1
American Wigeon - 2

American Black Duck - 62

Mallard - 15
Northern Shoveler - 1
Green-winged Teal - 53
Greater Scaup - 30

Lesser Scaup - 48
Surf Scoter - 329
White-winged Scoter - 28

Black Scoter - 5,181

dark-winged scoter - 4

Long-tailed Duck - 14
Bufflehead - 1
Hooded Merganser - 1

Red-breasted Merganser - 24

Red-throated Loon - 1,137

Common Loon - 16
Horned Grebe - 8

Northern Gannet - 768
Great Cormorant - 2

Laughing Gull - 9
Bonaparte's Gull - 62

Ring-billed Gull - 110
Forster's Tern - 3
Black Skimmer - 14

Total - 8,017

Hawk Watch Count 11-24-2008

Official Observer: Dan Berard

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             72            136
Turkey Vulture               0            511            957
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             1             77            608
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            507          10926
Cooper's Hawk                0            273           4440
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            150            214
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk              0            458            717
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             17             25
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       1           2173          25551


Non-raptor Observations:
A Cackling Goose went over along with a Dickcissel.  One Deer was also
seen.  

Sea Watch Count - 11/23/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 523

Brant - 14
Canada Goose - 4,240
Cackling Goose - 4

Tundra Swan - 2
Wood Duck - 1
Gadwall - 5

American Black Duck - 43

Mallard - 10

Northern Pintail - 6
dabbler sp. - 52
Greater Scaup - 5

Lesser Scaup - 2
King Eider - 1 (adult male!)

Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 185

Black Scoter - 211

dark-winged scoter - 229

Long-tailed Duck - 7
Bufflehead - 10
Hooded Merganser - 2

Red-breasted Merganser - 51

Red-throated Loon - 2,630

Common Loon - 13
Horned Grebe - 1

Northern Gannet - 8,478

Double-crested Cormorant - 170
Great Cormorant - 5

Laughing Gull - 17

Ring-billed Gull - 1,048
Herring Gull - 96

Total - 18,062

Hawk Watch Count 11-23-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                7             72            136
Turkey Vulture              77            511            957
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             0             76            607
Sharp-shinned Hawk          10            507          10926
Cooper's Hawk               19            273           4440
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk         15            150            214
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk             79            458            717
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 1             17             25
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                     208           2172          25550


Non-raptor Observations:
It was the first really good day for Canada Geese to be on the move.  Also
a few Snow Geese flocks went over very, very high up.  One Iceland Gull
flew over the platform and parking lot at around 12:45PM or so.

Sea Watch Count - 11/22/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 418

Brant - 22
Canada Goose - 454

Gadwall - 5

American Wigeon - 24

American Black Duck - 55

Mallard - 16
Northern Shoveler - 1

Northern Pintail - 7

Green-winged Teal - 12
dabbler sp. - 22
Greater Scaup - 22

Lesser Scaup - 36

Surf Scoter - 281

White-winged Scoter - 2

Black Scoter - 846

dark-winged scoter - 549

Long-tailed Duck - 10
Bufflehead - 4

Red-breasted Merganser - 33

Red-throated Loon - 237

Common Loon - 3
Horned Grebe - 2

Northern Gannet - 665

Double-crested Cormorant - 170

Laughing Gull - 49

Bonaparte's Gull - 37

Ring-billed Gull - 1,103
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Razorbill - 1
Killdeer - 2

Total - 5,089

Hawk Watch Count 11-22-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             65            129
Turkey Vulture               0            434            880
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             0             76            607
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            497          10916
Cooper's Hawk                0            254           4421
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            135            199
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk              2            379            638
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       2           1964          25342

Non-raptor Observations:
A few Tundra Swans flew over.  A or the Wilson's Snip was still around.  A
flock of Snow Geese was far away going by.  Then about 20 Snow Buntings
came in two times by the pond.

Sea Watch Count - 11/21/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 58

Brant - 96
Canada Goose - 126

Wood Duck - 3

Gadwall - 13

American Wigeon - 23

American Black Duck - 38

Mallard - 8

Northern Pintail - 1

Green-winged Teal - 61

Greater Scaup - 7

Lesser Scaup - 16
King Eider - 1
Common Eider - 2

Surf Scoter - 340

White-winged Scoter - 1

Black Scoter - 1,826

dark-winged scoter - 686

Long-tailed Duck - 3
Bufflehead - 12
Hooded Merganser - 7

Red-breasted Merganser - 34

Red-throated Loon - 1,056

Common Loon - 26

Northern Gannet - 5,129

Double-crested Cormorant - 83
Great Cormorant - 4

Laughing Gull - 33

Bonaparte's Gull - 7

Ring-billed Gull - 916

Herring Gull - 65

Forster's Tern - 3

Royal Tern - 4
American Oystercatcher - 64

Total - 10,752

Hawk Watch Count 11-21-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             65            129
Turkey Vulture              41            434            880
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             4             76            607
Sharp-shinned Hawk           5            497          10916
Cooper's Hawk               19            254           4421
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk         14            135            199
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk             46            377            636
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             1             29           3021
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                     130           1962          25340

Non-raptor Observations:
A Wilson's Snipe was flying around a few times during the day.  162 Snow
Geese were counted going over in a few different flocks.  1 Bonaparte's
Gull was seen on the pond for a short time.  Then many Northern Gannets
were feeding and going by in close later in the day. 

Sea Watch Count - 11/20/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Brant - 7

Wood Duck - 28

Gadwall - 25

American Wigeon - 20

American Black Duck - 164

Mallard - 25

Northern Shoveler - 42

Northern Pintail - 24

Green-winged Teal - 204

Redhead - 2

Ring-necked Duck - 7

Greater Scaup - 43

Lesser Scaup - 28

Surf Scoter - 196

White-winged Scoter - 3

Black Scoter - 84

dark-winged scoter - 360

Long-tailed Duck - 11

Red-breasted Merganser - 23

Red-throated Loon - 7,882

Common Loon - 587

Horned Grebe - 2

Northern Gannet - 2,478

Double-crested Cormorant - 98

Great Blue Heron - 2

Laughing Gull - 17

Bonaparte's Gull - 12

Ring-billed Gull - 826

Herring Gull - 249

Great Black-backed Gull - 47

Forster's Tern - 2

Royal Tern - 7

Total - 13,505

Hawk Watch Count 11-20-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture               13             65            129
Turkey Vulture              21            393            839
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             5             72            603
Sharp-shinned Hawk           2            492          10911
Cooper's Hawk                1            235           4402
Northern Goshawk             1              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          2            121            185
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk             10            331            590
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             28           3020
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                      55           1832          25210


Non-raptor Observations:
On the pond many duck and waterbird species were around.  Hooded
Merganser(8), Mallard(6), American Wigeon(12), Gadwall(50), Green-winged
Teal(160), Ruddy Duck(2), Bufflehead(2), Northern Pintail(1), Northern
Shoveler(4), Mute Swan(2), Tundra Swan(1).  Also around were Great Blue
Heron(8), Great Egret(3), American Coot(3), Snow Geese(5), and many Surf and Black Scoters went
by along with Northern Gannets.  Also over the ocean were some American
Black Ducks, Red-breasted Merganser(1), Many Red-throated Loons,
Double-crested Cormorants, and Forster's Terns(2).  Also a fly by Ruddy
Turnstone over the pond by the hawk watch.  Then along with Song Sparrows,
White-throated Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos a Field Sparrow was around
feeding near the hawk watch.

Sea Watch Count - 11/19/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Snow Goose - 16

Brant - 4

American Wigeon - 1

American Black Duck - 2

Green-winged Teal - 21

Greater Scaup - 11

Surf Scoter - 251

White-winged Scoter - 1

Black Scoter - 35

dark-winged scoter - 480

Long-tailed Duck - 3

Red-breasted Merganser - 23

Red-throated Loon - 1,585

Common Loon - 281

Northern Gannet - 281

Double-crested Cormorant - 125

Laughing Gull - 4

Ring-billed Gull - 71

Herring Gull - 135

Great Black-backed Gull - 8

Total - 3,117

Hawk Watch Count 11-19-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             52            116
Turkey Vulture              33            372            818
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             5             67            598
Sharp-shinned Hawk           4            490          10909
Cooper's Hawk                1            234           4401
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk          5            119            183
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk             42            321            580
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             28           3020
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             1              9           1409
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                      91           1777          25155

Non-raptor Observations:

A Belted Kingfisher was around in the background area of the hawk watch.
Also a late Wilson's Snip was a fly by.  Many sparrows were around and a
good number or species.  Song, Fox, White-throated, Chipping, and Dark-eyed
Junco.  Over 2,000 Northern Gannets went by and were feeding in close to
the shore.  A few flocks of Snow Geese went over for a total of 56.

Sea Watch Count - 11/18/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 82
Canada Goose - 31
Tundra Swan - 10
Wood Duck - 3
American Wigeon - 21
American Black Duck - 46
Mallard - 10
Northern Pintail - 9
Green-winged Teal - 97
dabbler sp. - 123
Greater Scaup - 6
Lesser Scaup - 11
aythya sp. - 57
Common Eider - 5
Surf Scoter - 2,537
White-winged Scoter - 19
Black Scoter - 2,272
dark-winged scoter - 7,061
Long-tailed Duck - 53
Bufflehead - 102
Hooded Merganser - 9
Red-breasted Merganser - 28
Red-throated Loon - 2,534
Common Loon - 9
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 5,673
Double-crested Cormorant - 1,456
Great Cormorant - 3
Great Blue Heron - 1
Great Egret - 13
Laughing Gull - 90
Ring-billed Gull - 1,792
Herring Gull - 151
Great Black-backed Gull - 34
Forster's Tern - 13
Royal Tern - 11
Black Skimmer - 49
Razorbill - 1
American Oystercatcher - 5

Total: 24,428

Other birds of note at Seawatch: Snow Bunting (5), Lapland Longspur (1)
And at Townsend's Inlet: Marbled Godwit (8), and Black-headed Gull (1)

Hawk Watch Count 11-18-2008

Official Observer: Dan Berard

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             52            116
Turkey Vulture               0            339            785
Osprey                       0             21           1010
Bald Eagle                   0             34            283
Northern Harrier             6             62            593
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            486          10905
Cooper's Hawk                0            233           4400
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            114            178
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk              0            279            538
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             28           3020
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              8           1408
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       6           1686          25064

Non-raptor Observations:

A Blue-winged Teal was around.  Also many Finches went over and a Snow
Goose.  Many sparrows were around.  Also a few Cave Swallows went over too.

Sea Watch Count - 11/17/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Canada Goose - 2
Tundra Swan - 39
Wood Duck - 44
Gadwall - 3
American Black Duck - 33
Mallard - 18
Northern Shoveler - 5
Northern Pintail - 3
Green-winged Teal - 664
dabbler sp. - 78
Ring-necked Duck - 2
Greater Scaup - 60
Lesser Scaup - 129
aythya sp. - 51
Surf Scoter - 173
White-winged Scoter - 10
Black Scoter - 37
dark-winged scoter - 148
Long-tailed Duck - 101
Bufflehead - 339
Hooded Merganser - 6
Red-breasted Merganser - 26
Red-throated Loon - 1,085
Common Loon - 13
Northern Gannet - 4,171
Double-crested Cormorant - 886
Great Cormorant - 3
Great Blue Heron - 1
Laughing Gull - 101
Ring-billed Gull - 838
Herring Gull - 57
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Great Black-backed Gull - 5
Common Tern - 2
Forster's Tern - 7
Royal Tern - 4
Parasitic Jaeger - 1
American Oystercatcher - 79

Total: 9,225

Hawk Watch Count 11-17-2008

Official Observer: Dan Berard

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                6             52            116
Turkey Vulture              23            339            785
Osprey                       4             21           1010
Bald Eagle                  10             34            283
Northern Harrier            13             56            587
Sharp-shinned Hawk           6            486          10905
Cooper's Hawk                8            233           4400
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk          3            114            178
Broad-winged Hawk            1              2            528
Red-tailed Hawk             10            279            538
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             2             28           3020
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             1              8           1408
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                      87           1680          25058

Sea Watch Count - 11/16/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 12
Canada Goose - 23
Tundra Swan - 16
Gadwall - 6
American Wigeon - 8
American Black Duck - 16
Mallard - 7
Northern Pintail - 13
Green-winged Teal - 4
Greater Scaup - 1
Lesser Scaup - 27
Surf Scoter - 72
White-winged Scoter - 1
Black Scoter - 26
dark-winged scoter - 5
Long-tailed Duck - 46
Bufflehead - 213
Common Goldeneye - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 12
Ruddy Duck - 3
Red-throated Loon - 1,730
Common Loon - 9
Northern Gannet - 1,762
Double-crested Cormorant - 385
Laughing Gull - 94
Bonaparte's Gull - 2
Ring-billed Gull - 52
Herring Gull - 30
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Great Black-backed Gull - 20
Forster's Tern - 11
Royal Tern - 18
jaeger sp. - 1

Total: 4,627

Other birds of note: Cave Swallow (1) and Eastern Bluebird (1)

Hawk Watch Count 11-16-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             46            110
Turkey Vulture               0            316            762
Osprey                       0             17           1006
Bald Eagle                   0             24            273
Northern Harrier             2             43            574
Sharp-shinned Hawk           2            480          10899
Cooper's Hawk                1            225           4392
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk          1            111            175
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              1            269            528
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             26           3018
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              7           1407
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       7           1593          24971

Sea Watch Count - 11/15/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

American Wigeon - 3
Mallard - 6
Blue-winged Teal - 1
Northern Pintail - 2
Green-winged Teal - 5
Ring-necked Duck - 1

Greater Scaup - 4

Lesser Scaup - 4

Common Eider - 2

Surf Scoter - 178

White-winged Scoter - 4

Black Scoter - 7

Long-tailed Duck - 7

Bufflehead - 3

Red-breasted Merganser - 18

Red-throated Loon - 1,619

Common Loon - 16

Northern Gannet - 142

Laughing Gull - 43
Bonaparte's Gull - 2

Ring-billed Gull - 3
Forster's Tern - 1

Total - 2,071

Hawk Watch Count 11-15-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             46            110
Turkey Vulture               0            316            762
Osprey                       0             17           1006
Bald Eagle                   0             24            273
Northern Harrier             0             41            572
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            478          10897
Cooper's Hawk                0            224           4391
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            110            174
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              0            268            527
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             26           3018
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              7           1407
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0           1586          24964

Sea Watch Count - 11/14/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Wood Duck - 3

Greater Scaup - 8

Lesser Scaup - 18

King Eider - 1

Common Eider - 4

Surf Scoter - 723

White-winged Scoter - 9

Black Scoter - 169

Long-tailed Duck - 11

Bufflehead - 14

Red-breasted Merganser - 14

Red-throated Loon - 3,982

Common Loon - 189

Northern Gannet - 3,886

Laughing Gull - 127

Ring-billed Gull - 56

Herring Gull - 46
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1

Great Black-backed Gull - 12
Common Tern - 2
Forster's Tern - 4

Royal Tern - 17

Parasitic Jaeger - 1
Razorbill - 1

Total - 9,298

Hawk Watch Count 11-14-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             46            110
Turkey Vulture               0            316            762
Osprey                       0             17           1006
Bald Eagle                   0             24            273
Northern Harrier             0             41            572
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            478          10897
Cooper's Hawk                0            224           4391
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            110            174
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              0            268            527
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             26           3018
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              7           1407
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0           1586          24964

Sea Watch Count - 11/13/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Wood Duck - 6

Gadwall - 3

American Wigeon - 1

American Black Duck - 3

Green-winged Teal - 269

Greater Scaup - 54

Lesser Scaup - 36

King Eider - 1

Common Eider - 8

Surf Scoter - 6,175

White-winged Scoter - 21

Black Scoter - 15,258

dark-winged scoter - 660

Long-tailed Duck - 44

Bufflehead - 56

Red-breasted Merganser - 77

Red-throated Loon - 2,583

Common Loon - 39

Horned Grebe - 2

Red-necked Grebe - 1

Northern Gannet - 2,603

Double-crested Cormorant - 273

Great Cormorant - 1

Laughing Gull - 33

Bonaparte's Gull - 13

Ring-billed Gul - 130

Herring Gull - 195

Great Black-backed Gull - 103

Black-legged Kittiwake - 1

Royal Tern - 16

Total - 28,665

Hawk Watch Count 11-13-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             46            110
Turkey Vulture               0            316            762
Osprey                       0             17           1006
Bald Eagle                   0             24            273
Northern Harrier             0             41            572
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            478          10897
Cooper's Hawk                0            224           4391
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            110            174
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              0            268            527
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             26           3018
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              7           1407
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0           1586          24964

Hawk Watch Count 11-12-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             46            110
Turkey Vulture              54            316            762
Osprey                       0             17           1006
Bald Eagle                   0             24            273
Northern Harrier             4             41            572
Sharp-shinned Hawk          21            478          10897
Cooper's Hawk               35            224           4391
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk         17            110            174
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk             79            268            527
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0             16             24
American Kestrel             0             26           3018
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              7           1407
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                     210           1586          24964

Sea Watch Count - 11/12/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Brant - 132

Wood Duck - 38

American Black Duck - 22

Northern Shoveler - 2

Northern Pintail - 13

Green-winged Teal - 211

Greater Scaup - 21

Lesser Scaup - 38

King Eider - 1

Common Eider - 15

Surf Scoter - 18,223

White-winged Scoter - 35

Black Scoter - 11,948

dark-winged scoter - 27,762

Long-tailed Duck - 91

Bufflehead - 62

Hooded Merganser - 1

Red-breasted Merganser - 80

Red-throated Loon - 1,105

Common Loon - 92

Horned Grebe - 3

Northern Gannet - 21,627

Double-crested Cormorant - 24,637

Great Cormorant - 14

Laughing Gull - 64

Bonaparte's Gull - 10

Ring-billed Gull - 90

Herring Gull - 159

Great Black-backed Gull - 59

Common Tern - 4

Forster's Tern - 31

Royal Tern - 12

Razorbill - 1

Sandhill Crane - 2

Total - 106,605

Sea Watch Count - 11/11/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 7
Wood Duck - 94
American Wigeon - 18
American Black Duck - 81
Northern Pintail - 3
Green-winged Teal - 10
dabbler sp. - 39
Greater Scaup - 2
Lesser Scaup - 53
Surf Scoter - 1,039
White-winged Scoter - 4
Black Scoter - 501
scoter sp. - 1,271
Long-tailed Duck - 13
Bufflehead - 43
Hooded Merganser - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 18
Red-throated Loon - 132
Common Loon - 10
Northern Gannet - 16,946*
Brown Pelican - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 3,977
Great Blue Heron - 1
Laughing Gull - 130
Bonaparte's Gull - 2
Ring-billed Gull - 117
Common Tern - 3
Forster's Tern - 32
Royal Tern - 32

Total: 24,580

Monarch: 1

Other birds of note: Golden Eagle and Orange-crowned Warbler

*This denotes a new single day record for Northern Gannet at the Avalon Sea Watch. The peak hour of movement occurred between 11:38am and 12:38pm when 5,992 were counted moving south. To put this in perspective, the previous single day record of Gannet was set last year when 7,685 were tallied in a full day!

Hawk Watch Count 11-11-2008

Official Observer: Dan Berard

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture               13             46            110
Turkey Vulture             161            262            708
Osprey                       3             17           1006
Bald Eagle                   9             24            273
Northern Harrier             6             37            568
Sharp-shinned Hawk          82            457          10876
Cooper's Hawk               62            189           4356
Northern Goshawk             0              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk         59             93            157
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk            103            189            448
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 1             16             24
American Kestrel             2             26           3018
Merlin                       0              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             0              7           1407
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                     501           1376          24754

A Record Day at Cape May Hawk Watch: Golden Eagles 11-10-2008

A Record Raptor Day: Golden Eagles: By: Seth Cutright Counted By: Dan Berard

Today was a record breaking day…literally. During the Fall of 1996, 8 Golden Eagles were recorded on a single day. Today, that record was broken, as 14 Golden Eagles were recorded from the Cape May Hawk Watch Platform. As anyone who has attempted to count raptors knows, it can be tough trying to figure out which birds are migrating and which birds have been around all day and that goes double for eagles. Thankfully, today was a team effort. There was constant communication between me, in the Far North Raptor Banding Blind, Forrest Rowland, the counter at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch, and Dan Berard, counting at the Cape May Hawk Watch Platform. As an eagle was spotted, word was spread and we were able to track their movements and even how long it took some individuals to cross the bay.

Cape May wasn’t the only hawk watch to break a record. The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch broke two records, with a new day and season total for Golden Eagles. They recorded six for their daily total. Here at the Cape May Hawk Watch we recorded a new day high count at fourteen. Out of the fourteen that were recorded at the Cape May Hawk Watch, Cape Henlopen was able to count how long it took six of these to cross the Bay. Overall, they all crossed in about an hour. Another astonishing number to throw at you is five, which is the number of the Cape May birds that were adults. Yet another interesting note is that the Golden Eagle recorded yesterday was seen again today but was not counted, which means that while fourteen birds were recorded today there were actually fifteen seen.

Other highlights at the platform today were Clay-colored and Fox Sparrows feeding among Song and House Sparrows. Many ducks were still on the pond by the count site, along with Cave Swallows flying over it. Then to cap off a really fun and interesting day, the last highlight was a flock of five Tundra Swans.

Photo 1: Juvenile Golden Eagle: 11-9-10-2008
Notes: This bird was seen both days. Some stand out field marks were noted to tell that it was the same bird both days. Such marks are, the very large amount and bright white wing patches, and thicker bright white band on tail. Also noted was the thin brown tail band on tail tip. These marks were seen on this bird both days in person and from banding photos. This photo is from 11-10-2008

Photo 2: Juvenile Golden Eagle: 11-10-2008

Photo 3: Five Tundra Swans: 11-10-2008

Photo 4: Clay-colored Sparrow: 11-10-2008

Photos done by Dan Berard

Hawk Watch Count 11-10-2008

Official Observer: Dan Berard

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture               23             33             97
Turkey Vulture              75            101            547
Osprey                       8             14           1003
Bald Eagle                   6             15            264
Northern Harrier            11             31            562
Sharp-shinned Hawk         125            375          10794
Cooper's Hawk               58            127           4294
Northern Goshawk             1              3              5
Red-shouldered Hawk         19             34             98
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk             34             86            345
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                14             15             23
American Kestrel             9             24           3016
Merlin                       2              9           1263
Peregrine Falcon             1              7           1407
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                     386            875          24253

Sea Watch Count - 11/10/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 49
Canada Goose - 8
Wood Duck - 43
American Wigeon - 5
American Black Duck - 18
Northern Pintail - 1
Green-winged Teal - 26
Greater Scaup - 2
Lesser Scaup - 15
Surf Scoter - 221
Black Scoter - 38
scoter sp. - 111
Long-tailed Duck - 4
Bufflehead - 27
Red-breasted Merganser - 16
Red-throated Loon - 33
Common Loon - 12
Northern Gannet - 1,751
Double-crested Cormorant - 595
Great Cormorant - 3
Great Egret - 7
Laughing Gull - 16
Ring-billed Gull - 32
Herring Gull - 2
Common Tern - 1
Forster's Tern - 23
Royal Tern - 7
American Oystercatcher - 3
Marbled Godwit - 7

Total: 3,076

Hawk Watch Count 11-9-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             10             74
Turkey Vulture               6             26            472
Osprey                       1              6            995
Bald Eagle                   2              9            258
Northern Harrier             3             20            551
Sharp-shinned Hawk          35            250          10669
Cooper's Hawk               12             69           4236
Northern Goshawk             0              2              4
Red-shouldered Hawk          7             15             79
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk             23             52            311
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 1              1              9
American Kestrel             2             15           3007
Merlin                       3              7           1261
Peregrine Falcon             1              6           1406
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                      96            489          23867

Sea Watch Count - 11/9/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 20
Canada Goose - 1
American Wigeon - 13
American Black Duck - 8
Greater Scaup - 3
Surf Scoter - 51
Black Scoter - 11
Bufflehead - 1
Red-throated Loon - 45
Common Loon - 8
Northern Gannet - 497
Brown Pelican - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 449
Great Egret - 3
Laughing Gull - 12
Ring-billed Gull - 9
Forster's Tern - 60
Royal Tern - 9
American Oystercatcher - 16

Total: 1,217

Other birds of note: White-rumped Sandpiper - 2, Willet - 1, Dickcissel - 1, and Pine Warbler

Sea Watch Count - 11/8/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

American Wigeon - 5
Green-winged Teal - 13
Greater Scaup - 1
Lesser Scaup - 8
Surf Scoter - 140
White-winged Scoter - 2
Black Scoter - 10
Long-tailed Duck - 3
Bufflehead - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 1
Red-throated Loon - 50
Common Loon - 7
Northern Gannet - 376
Laughing Gull - 116
Bonaparte's Gull - 14
Ring-billed Gull - 16
Common Tern - 1
Forster's Tern - 66
Royal Tern - 34
Black Skimmer - 4
Killdeer - 1

Total: 869

Other birds of note: Orange-crowned Warbler, Pine Warbler, and 3 Western Willet

Hawk Watch Count 11-8-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             10             74
Turkey Vulture               0             20            466
Osprey                       0              5            994
Bald Eagle                   0              7            256
Northern Harrier             0             17            548
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            215          10634
Cooper's Hawk                0             57           4224
Northern Goshawk             0              2              4
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              8             72
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              0             29            288
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0              0              8
American Kestrel             0             13           3005
Merlin                       0              4           1258
Peregrine Falcon             0              5           1405
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0            393          23771

Sea Watch Count - 11/7/08

Counter: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 86
Gadwall - 1
American Black Duck - 3

Surf Scoter - 117

Black Scoter - 10

scoter sp. - 25

Red-breasted Merganser - 7

Red-throated Loon - 10

Common Loon - 13

Northern Gannet - 37

Double-crested Cormorant - 804

Great Egret - 2
Laughing Gull - 137
Bonaparte's Gull - 1
Ring-billed Gull - 91
Herring Gull - 11
Forster's Tern - 3
Royal Tern - 12

Total - 1,370

Hawk Watch Count 11-7-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             10             74
Turkey Vulture               0             20            466
Osprey                       0              5            994
Bald Eagle                   0              7            256
Northern Harrier             0             17            548
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            215          10634
Cooper's Hawk                0             57           4224
Northern Goshawk             0              2              4
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              8             72
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              0             29            288
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0              0              8
American Kestrel             0             13           3005
Merlin                       0              4           1258
Peregrine Falcon             0              5           1405
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0            393          23771

Sea Watch Count - 11/6/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Green-winged Teal - 3

Surf Scoter - 80

White-winged Scoter - 2

Black Scoter - 92

Red-throated Loon - 21

Common Loon - 6

Double-crested Cormorant - 41

Total - 245

Sea Watch Count - 11/5/08

Counter: Dan Berard

Brant - 228

Canada Goose - 4

Wood Duck - 3

Green-winged Teal - 44

Surf Scoter - 556

White-winged Scoter - 11

Black Scoter - 791

dark-winged scoter - 20

Long-tailed Duck - 2

Bufflehead - 6

Red-throated Loon - 34

Common Loon - 8

Northern Gannet - 171

Double-crested Cormorant - 604

Total - 2482

Hawk Watch Count 11-6-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             10             74
Turkey Vulture               0             20            466
Osprey                       0              5            994
Bald Eagle                   0              7            256
Northern Harrier             0             17            548
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            215          10634
Cooper's Hawk                0             57           4224
Northern Goshawk             0              2              4
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              8             72
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              0             29            288
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0              0              8
American Kestrel             0             13           3005
Merlin                       0              4           1258
Peregrine Falcon             0              5           1405
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       0            393          23771

Hawk Watch Count 11-5-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             10             74
Turkey Vulture               0             20            466
Osprey                       0              5            994
Bald Eagle                   0              7            256
Northern Harrier             0             17            548
Sharp-shinned Hawk           1            215          10634
Cooper's Hawk                0             57           4224
Northern Goshawk             0              2              4
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              8             72
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              1             29            288
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0              0              8
American Kestrel             0             13           3005
Merlin                       1              4           1258
Peregrine Falcon             0              5           1405
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       3            393          23771

Hawk Watch Count 11-4-2008

Official Observer: Dan Berard

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             10             74
Turkey Vulture               0             20            466
Osprey                       0              5            994
Bald Eagle                   0              7            256
Northern Harrier             0             17            548
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0            214          10633
Cooper's Hawk                0             57           4224
Northern Goshawk             1              2              4
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              8             72
Broad-winged Hawk            0              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              0             28            287
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0              0              8
American Kestrel             0             13           3005
Merlin                       0              3           1257
Peregrine Falcon             1              5           1405
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                       2            390          23768

Sea Watch Count - 11/4/08

Observer: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 6
American Wigeon - 9

American Black Duck - 29

Green-winged Teal - 40
Ring-necked Duck - 2

Greater Scaup - 14

Lesser Scaup - 7

Surf Scoter - 1,429

Black Scoter - 1,457

scoter sp. - 7
Red-breasted Merganser - 7

Red-throated Loon - 265

Common Loon - 25

Northern Gannet - 624

Double-crested Cormorant - 806
Great Blue Heron - 1

Laughing Gull - 123
Ring-billed Gull - 160
Herring Gull - 20

Forster's Tern - 5

Royal Tern - 126

Total: 5,162

Hawk Watch Count 11-3-2008

Official Observer: Dan Berard

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture               10             10             74
Turkey Vulture              20             20            466
Osprey                       5              5            994
Bald Eagle                   5              7            256
Northern Harrier             6             17            548
Sharp-shinned Hawk          52            214          10633
Cooper's Hawk               27             57           4224
Northern Goshawk             0              1              3
Red-shouldered Hawk          4              8             72
Broad-winged Hawk            1              1            527
Red-tailed Hawk              5             28            287
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0              0              8
American Kestrel             6             13           3005
Merlin                       2              3           1257
Peregrine Falcon             3              4           1404
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Mississippi Kite             0              0              2
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              3

Total:                     146            388          23766

Sea Watch Count - 11/3/08

Observer: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 37

Wood Duck - 4
American Wigeon - 29

American Black Duck - 33

Northern Pintail - 2

Green-winged Teal - 663
Ring-necked Duck - 10

Greater Scaup - 22

Lesser Scaup - 47

Surf Scoter - 3,740

White-winged Scoter - 4

Black Scoter - 2,482

scoter sp. - 500

Long-tailed Duck - 2

Bufflehead - 5
Red-breasted Merganser - 26

Red-throated Loon - 630

Common Loon - 15

Northern Gannet - 2,824

Double-crested Cormorant - 1,027

Great Cormorant - 3

Laughing Gull - 95
Bonaparte's Gull - 15
Ring-billed Gull - 84
Herring Gull - 17
Great Black-backed Gull - 9
Common Tern - 1

Forster's Tern - 64

Royal Tern - 73

Total: 12,463