Hawk Watch Thursday November 11, 2010

It was a great day of diversity down at the platform! The actual amount of birds was lacking a bit (especially in the afternoon), but that was overlooked since we saw 15 different raptor species including 1 early morning Golden Eagle, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 seemingly local Northern Goshawk (it's been seen the past few days now), 1 adult male Merlin, and 1 adult Peregrine.

The white patches on immature Golden Eagles is known to be quite variable, but this bird has extensive white on both the under- and upperside of the wings, quite unlike any bird that I've ever seen. (Steve Kolbe)

An immature Red-tailed Hawk with the Lighthouse in the background during a beautiful sunset. What more could you ask for? (Steve Kolbe)

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 11, 2010
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture               17            184            360
Turkey Vulture              62            980           2070
Osprey                       5             29           4559
Bald Eagle                   1             62            471
Northern Harrier            16            630           2261
Sharp-shinned Hawk          94           1718          19525
Cooper's Hawk               13            323           4008
Northern Goshawk             0             11             13
Red-shouldered Hawk         10            224            338
Broad-winged Hawk            1             14           1221
Red-tailed Hawk             40            973           1555
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 1             17             25
American Kestrel             2             68           5629
Merlin                       1             60           2233
Peregrine Falcon             1             18           1387
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:                     264           5311          45656
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Observation start time: 06:30:00 
Observation end   time: 15:30:00 
Total observation time: 9 hours

Official Counter:        Melissa Roach

Observers:        

Weather:
Sunny skies with moderate North winds early on becoming stronger and
Northeast for most of the day.

Raptor Observations:
Fairly good movement today with respectable numbers of vultures, Red-tailed
Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks.  One immature Golden Eagle with a great
deal of white (very unique bird).

Non-raptor Observations:
American Pipits, Eastern Bluebirds, Hooded Mergansers, American Black
Ducks, Cave Swallow, Ash-throated Flycatcher (not actually seen from the
platform, but in the state park)

Predictions:
Clear skies again tomorrow with light/moderate NNE winds all day should
produce another decent day of migration.