The day started off with refreshing northwest winds. The
breeze kept the air cool as trickles of songbirds flew high overhead. Cloudy
skies kept raptors quite low until the mid-day hours took place. Around lunch
time the skies opened up with bright blues and whites, and streams of Osprey
were seen near and far, many of them quite high. It’s truly amazing to see how
the atmospheric conditions affect the timing of daily raptor movements. It’s
all about those winds and thermals.
Several dark chocolate-brown Merlin were seen rushing past
the hawkwatch in the late afternoon hours. These mid-sized falcons are known
for their incredibly fast and direct flight. Their wingbeats are often much
stiffer and faster-paced than their smaller, slappy-winged cousins, the American
Kestrel. Adult females and both genders of immature Merlin have chocolate-brown
backsides. The adult males, seen later in the season, are known for their
deep-blue wings among dark-streaked underbellies.
Every day is an adventure during bird migration in Cape May,
and you’ll never know what birds will show up. The naturalists are excited to
help you get the most out of your hawkwatching experience. See you on the platform!
-Erik
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| Yellow Warbler (left) and Orchard Oriole (right). |
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| A Great Egret passes by. |
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| Osprey are dominating the count these first few days. |
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