Hawkwatch - Sunday, November 19th, 2017

This morning started out with light drizzle and howling west winds. The strong winds were sustained themselves throughout the day, but the gusts became more tame as the day progressed.  Several gusts peaked around 50mph this morning, and by mid-day a slow but steady trickle of raptors had developed with the milder gusts. Thousands of Tree Swallows fluttered in concentrated flocks along the dunes. When the raptors flew through, they were flying very low to the tree tops as they dodged the oncoming winds.

Tomorrow's follow up of sunny skies and steady-but-not-overwhelming west winds could bring some fun northern birds through. Come to the hawkwatch and see what birds are flying!

Osprey and Tree Swallow

Female Northern Harrier

Snow Goose flying through the Tree Swallows

Lesser Black-backed Gull (smaller one, far left) and Herring Gull (light brown bird, far right)
among the Great Black-backed Gull.

Today's totals. Click the image to see a larger view.