Hawk Watch Thursday November 17, 2011

It was another day of rain and brisk winds. Fortunately, the winds were coming from the North-northwest so I had a few raptors in between the bouts of rain. The true spectacle was the absolutely amazing songbird movement in the morning. The sky was littered with American Robins, Eastern Bluebirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Cedar Waxwings, American Pipits, and who knows what else. There's no telling what tomorrow's winds will bring our way. I would suggest getting out there and birding!

We're still seeing Bald Eagles almost daily even though some of them are the local residents but it's always a nice treat.

There are still reports of Snow Buntings on the state park beach. We had a flock of 12 fly up the dune this afternoon.

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2011
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              4             53
Turkey Vulture               0             42            450
Osprey                       1             16           2625
Bald Eagle                   2             29            401
Northern Harrier             6             85            721
Sharp-shinned Hawk          10            361          14880
Cooper's Hawk                0             61           2871
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             41            170
Broad-winged Hawk            0              4            990
Red-tailed Hawk              0            132            412
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              5
American Kestrel             4             24           5248
Merlin                       0              7           1599
Peregrine Falcon             1             19           1077
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              6

Total:                      24            825          31508
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Observation start time: 06:45:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 9.25 hours

Official Counter:        Melissa Roach

Observers:        

Weather:
Another day filled with rain but very few raptors.  Much of the morning was
spent under the pavillion to avoid the rain.

Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:
11 Killdeer, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Snowy Egret, 1 Cattle
Egret, 1 Bufflehead, 1 Lesser Scaup, 8 Wilson's Snipe, 11 Snow Geese, 36
Tundra Swans, 12 Snow Buntings

Predictions:
The rain has finally cleared so hopefully tomorrow will bring a late
November push of birds!
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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/