Hawk Watch Saturday October 1, 2011

Second day in a row with over 2000 raptors tallied!! It was a really fun day on the platform with lots of raptors to look at, thousands of swallows swirling about, loads of other birds to keep you busy, and plenty of socializing with friends. With all that being said, it was not a particularly fun day to count the mass of raptors moving through the point. It was quite chaotic at times, and I would like to give many thanks to the extra eyes who helped pick out super high and/or super far out birds. It was very much appreciated.

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2011
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0             15
Turkey Vulture               0              0             21
Osprey                     217            217           1564
Bald Eagle                  33             33            158
Northern Harrier            44             44            215
Sharp-shinned Hawk        1016           1016           4687
Cooper's Hawk              137            137            621
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          3              3             12
Broad-winged Hawk           97             97            176
Red-tailed Hawk              6              6             49
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel           548            548           2758
Merlin                     137            137            895
Peregrine Falcon            78             78            607
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              0              0              2

Total:                    2316           2316          11780
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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:
The day began with moderate North winds that gradually turned to
West-Northwest for the last couple of hours.  We had variable cloud
coverage throughout the day ranging from nearly overcast to basically
devoid of clouds.  

Raptor Observations:
Another great day of movement dominated by Sharp-shinneds (over 1000),
American Kestrels, Osprey (good push near the end of the day), and Merlin. 
We also had a decent day for Broad-wings with small lines of birds
streaming in off the ocean around midday.  

Non-raptor Observations:
15 dowitcher sp, 3 Black-bellied Plovers, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 8 Pied-billed
Grebes on the pond, 15 Pectoral Sandpipers, an interesting white-rumped
swallow (brief look by multiple observers)

Predictions:
The forecast is calling for Southwest winds all day tomorrow.  There
certainly isn't the best wind for migration but it isn't the worst either
so I would expect some movement tomorrow but not an overwhelming push.  
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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/