Hawk Watch Friday September 30, 2011

Today was crazy good with LOTS of raptors moving through almost the entire day. Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels started off right after sunrise this morning and didn't seem to stop after that. We also had very good numbers of Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, and Merlins. One of the best highlights was a dark morph Swainson's Hawk picked up just after noon.
This was by far the best day of the season so far. Hopefully, there will be more days like this next month (and maybe even November), but what a great way to end the month of September!

We were just 1 bird shy of reaching 200 Osprey today. Rats. (photo by Tom Johnson).

Awesome shot of an immature Cooper's Hawk (photo by Tom Johnson).

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2011
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             15             15
Turkey Vulture               0             21             21
Osprey                     199           1347           1347
Bald Eagle                  10            125            125
Northern Harrier            10            171            171
Sharp-shinned Hawk         921           3671           3671
Cooper's Hawk               87            484            484
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          2              9              9
Broad-winged Hawk           26             79             79
Red-tailed Hawk              0             43             43
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel           620           2210           2210
Merlin                      95            758            758
Peregrine Falcon           132            529            529
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
Swainson's Hawk              1              2              2

Total:                    2103           9464           9464
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Observation start time: 05:45:00 
Observation end   time: 16:15:00 
Total observation time: 10.5 hours

Official Counter:        Melissa Roach

Observers:        

Weather:
Light to moderate South-southwest winds for the vast majority of the day. 
Clear skies for the first couple of hours progressively becoming partly to
mostly cloudy by the end of the day.  

Raptor Observations:
A great push of birds today with over 2000 counted.  The count was heavily
dominated by Sharp-shinneds, American Kestrels, and Osprey.  We also had
good numbers of Cooper's Hawks (at the end of the day), Peregrines, and
Merlins.  Unfortunately, Northern Harrier numbers are still very low for
the season.

One of the better highlights of the day was a fairly distant dark morph
Swainson's Hawk at 12:05.  

Non-raptor Observations:
6 Hudsonian Godwits (together in a single flock), 1 Glossy Ibis, 7 Wood
Ducks

Predictions:
Since most of September has seen Southerly winds, tonight's cold front and
tomorrow's West winds should bring a strong push of birds tomorrow
(probably better than today).
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Report submitted by Melissa Roach (roach.mc1@gmail.com)
Cape May Hawkwatch information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/