Hawkwatch - Thursday, November 9, 2017

Today was a thrilling day to be at the Cape May Hawkwatch. The flight was surprisingly high for a cool day. About half of today's flight of raptors was not visible with the bare eye, but could be seen with a careful scan of the binoculars high overhead and to the northwest. One really high-up Northern Goshawk tried to squeak by, but we got that bird! Late this afternoon the skies were still before the powerful cold front pushes through early tomorrow morning...

Tomorrow's forecast is expected to be cold, with strong winds out of the north. Please dress warm in layers and be mindful of your extremities, as the windchill is expected to be in the upper 20's. We don't often see temperatures peaking this low in November here in Cape May. With the strong north winds could come some interesting flights of raptors as well as non-raptors. See you at the hawkwatch!

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. Aren't they a gorgeous bird?

Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk fluttering by.

Osprey coming around for another attempt at fish.
The few late-season individuals will likely be leaving soon with the big cold snap on the way. 

Barn Swallows toughing through the cold times

Bald Eagle harassing an Osprey for its fish.

Bonaparte's Gull

Today's totals. Click the image for a larger view.