We're nearing the end of the season and what a stellar season it has been! November 27th and 28th provided us with good flights of Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks, as well as few late season American Kestrels. Late November isn't typically part of the season where masses of raptors are seen, however the birds that are seen at the end of the season can be quite nice. A Northern Goshawk was icing on the cake for the past few days' flights. Red-tailed Hawks flew by showing off their own unique plumage, some more colored and heavily-marked than others. This time of year the Northern Harriers stream by often heading southwest, hugging low over the dunes as they do their best to avoid being detected by the hawkcounter. Sunday morning was an exceptionally special treat as nearly 6,000 Common Grackles and 2,000 Red-winged Blackbirds flew past the platform! One very late Broad-winged Hawk was also seen on Sunday.
Today's flight was quiet. A few Cave Swallows are still lingering and a few Greater Yellowlegs flew by. The strong south winds and intermittent rain put a pause to today's raptor migration.
Tomorrow marks the last official day of the 2016 Cape May Hawkwatch. It would be great to see you at the hawkwatch! Should you stop on by, be sure to bring your rain jacket.
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| Cave Swallow. |
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| Carolina Wren and White-throated Sparrow. |
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| Common Grackles galore with a few Red-winged Blackbirds, from Sunday morning. |
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| Dark-eyed Junco |
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| Early morning frost atop the hawkwatch. |
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| A tagged Monarch flying by! |
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Sometimes the local Northern Mockingbirds help us scan the skies.
Recently they have been fluffed up, staying warm.
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| Sunday's sightings. |
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Monday's sightings.
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| Today's sightings. |
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