Hawk Watch Thursday October 28, 2010

It was a good, steady day at the platform this warm and sunny Thursday. Although it wasn't an overwhelming flight, it was hard to scan the sky and not find a raptor of some sort. Once again dominated by Sharp-shinned Hawks, we also had good numbers of American Kestrels, Merlins, and Northern Harriers.

Alright, enough of those South winds already. It's time to put your game face on and get out there because tomorrow should be great!

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 28, 2010
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             82            128
Turkey Vulture               0            648            846
Osprey                       7           1763           4504
Bald Eagle                   0            209            385
Northern Harrier            36            874           1345
Sharp-shinned Hawk         422          11142          16362
Cooper's Hawk               51           2631           3515
Northern Goshawk             0              2              2
Red-shouldered Hawk          1             57             62
Broad-winged Hawk            0            748           1201
Red-tailed Hawk              4            257            396
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              3              3
American Kestrel           109           2439           5238
Merlin                      50           1290           2111
Peregrine Falcon            26           1069           1346
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              0

Total:                     706          23214          37445
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Observation start time: 06:15:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 9.75 hours

Official Counter:        Melissa Roach

Observers:        

Weather:
Light SW winds gradually becoming West by the end of the day with partly
cloudy skies.

Raptor Observations:
A steady stream of birds throughout most of the day dominated by
Sharp-shinned Hawks, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, and Merlins.

Non-raptor Observations:
A flock of 13 Wilson's Snipe, American Pipits, Cave Swallow, Cliff Swallow,
Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Predictions:
Go birding around Cape May tomorrow.  There will be lots o birds.