Hawk Watch Thursday September 30, 2010

Well, today was pretty much the opposite of what we hope for during fall migration: very strong Southeast winds. Considering that, today wasn't a complete bust because we ended the day with 34 Peregrines. It just goes to show that these falcons are hardcore, and they don't think twice about the weather. All they know is that it's time to migrate South!

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2010
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             46             46
Turkey Vulture               0            198            198
Osprey                       5           2741           2741
Bald Eagle                   0            176            176
Northern Harrier             0            471            471
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0           5220           5220
Cooper's Hawk                0            884            884
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              5              5
Broad-winged Hawk            0            453            453
Red-tailed Hawk              0            139            139
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel             1           2799           2799
Merlin                       7            821            821
Peregrine Falcon            34            277            277
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              0

Total:                      47          14231          14231
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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:
Very strong Southeast winds and overcast all day.  Low visibility as well.

Raptor Observations:
Quite a slow day, but decent numbers of Peregrines considering the strong
South wind.

Non-raptor Observations:


Predictions:
The forecast is calling for rain in the morning with NNW/North winds
throughout the day so there should be some birds moving especially later in
the day.