It was quite slow this rainy and cloudy Sunday with only 15 countable migrants. The few hardcore birders braving the rain this morning were lucky enough to see a Merlin at its best. While we were seeking shelter under the pavilion, a Merlin grasped a Northern Mockingbird in its talons, carried it to the field beside the parking lot, and proceeded to devour it. Needless to say, it was awesome. We also had 4 Whimbrel fly over, 4 Stilt Sandpipers foraging on Bunker Pond, and an adult Bald Eagle fly low right over the platform. Tomorrow is looking to be a much better day with clear skies and NW winds. Since most birds were hunkered down today, there should be a good number of birds heading south tomorrow.
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 12, 2010
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 75 75
Osprey 11 703 703
Bald Eagle 1 53 53
Northern Harrier 0 76 76
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 157 157
Cooper's Hawk 0 120 120
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 0 98 98
Red-tailed Hawk 0 36 36
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 892 892
Merlin 3 68 68
Peregrine Falcon 0 4 4
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 15 2283 2283
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Observation start time: 05:45:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 10.25 hours
Official Counter: Melissa Roach
Observers:
Weather:
Light to heavy rain in the morning; overcast all day with SE winds
Raptor Observations:
Very little movement
Non-raptor Observations:
4 flyby Whimbrel, 4 Stilt Sandpipers, Prairie Warbler
Predictions:
Better day tomorrow with sunny skies and NW winds.
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