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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.



Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.

Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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)
Posted by at

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.
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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)
Posted by at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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!
Posted by at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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







Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
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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
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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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
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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
Posted by Anonymous at

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
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Hawk Watch Count 11-2-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright


Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0             64
Turkey Vulture               0              0            446
Osprey                       0              0            989
Bald Eagle                   2              2            251
Northern Harrier             2             11            542
Sharp-shinned Hawk          91            162          10581
Cooper's Hawk               16             30           4197
Northern Goshawk             0              1              3
Red-shouldered Hawk          3              4             68
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0            526
Red-tailed Hawk             21             23            282
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0              0              8
American Kestrel             0              7           2999
Merlin                       1              1           1255
Peregrine Falcon             0              1           1401
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:                     136            242          23620
Posted by Anonymous at

Sea Watch Count - 11/2/08

Observer: Sean Fitzgerald

Snow Goose - 15
Brant - 157
Canada Goose - 1
Wood Duck - 63
Gadwall - 9
American Wigeon - 92
American Black Duck - 394
Mallard - 4
Northern Shoveler - 1
Northern Pintail - 143
Green-winged Teal - 1,346
Ring-necked Duck - 9
Greater Scaup - 226
Lesser Scaup - 300
scaup sp. - 27
King Eider - 1
Common Eider - 3
Surf Scoter - 27,345
White-winged Scoter - 64
Black Scoter - 27,493
scoter sp. - 9,730
Long-tailed Duck - 16
Bufflehead - 72
Hooded Merganser - 3
Red-breasted Merganser - 98
Red-throated Loon - 1,317
Common Loon - 45
Northern Gannet - 1,286
Double-crested Cormorant - 10,490
Great Cormorant - 2
Great Blue Heron - 31
Laughing Gull - 66
Ring-billed Gull - 133
Herring Gull - 158
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3
Great Black-backed Gull - 12
Black-legged Kittiwake - 1
Common Tern - 1
Forster's Tern - 10
Royal Tern - 23
Black Skimmer - 35
Parasitic Jaeger - 1
American Oystercatcher - 52
Killdeer - 1

Total: 81,279
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Hawk Watch Count 11-1-2008

Official Observer: Seth Cutright


Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0             64
Turkey Vulture               0              0            446
Osprey                       0              0            989
Bald Eagle                   0              0            249
Northern Harrier             9              9            540
Sharp-shinned Hawk          71             71          10490
Cooper's Hawk               14             14           4181
Northern Goshawk             1              1              3
Red-shouldered Hawk          1              1             65
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0            526
Red-tailed Hawk              2              2            261
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              1
Golden Eagle                 0              0              8
American Kestrel             7              7           2999
Merlin                       0              0           1254
Peregrine Falcon             1              1           1401
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:                     106            106          23484
Posted by Anonymous at

Sea Watch Count - 11/1/08

Observer: Sean Fitzgerald

Brant - 12
Wood Duck - 21
Gadwall - 7
American Wigeon - 50
American Black Duck - 184
Mallard - 1
Northern Shoveler - 1
Northern Pintail - 35
Green-winged Teal - 73
Ring-necked Duck - 16
Greater Scaup - 13
Lesser Scaup - 12
Common Eider - 1
Surf Scoter - 7,575
White-winged Scoter - 8
Black Scoter - 3,692
scoter sp. - 1,350
Long-tailed Duck - 18
Bufflehead - 86
Hooded Merganser - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 4
Ruddy Duck - 2
Red-throated Loon - 479
Common Loon - 79
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 3,779
Brown Pelican - 2
Double-crested Cormorant - 2,218
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 2
Laughing Gull - 336
Bonaparte's Gull - 2
Ring-billed Gull - 49
Forster's Tern - 123
Royal Tern - 9
Parasitic Jaeger - 1
American Oystercatcher - 3
American Woodcock - 1

Total: 20,249

Monarch: 4

Other birds of note: Lapland Longspur - 1, Pine Siskin - 4
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