Hawkwatch - Monday and Tuesday, October 8 & 9, 2018

Impressive flights of Osprey and Peregrine Falcon continue to rock the past few days at the Cape May Hawk Watch. Today we crested above 1,200 Peregrine Falcon for the season, just surpassing the entire season total count of Peregrine Falcons seen last fall. Broad-winged Hawks rocked an impressive show as they kettled in front of us by the dozens. Flocks of Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and Great and Snowy Egret are increasing in numbers. There are so. Many. Birds. All over!

Osprey flying by. We're having a great season with this beautiful raptor species!

Osprey carrying lunch

Immature Bald Eagle 

So many Blue Jays!

Juvenile Osprey showing off so many subtle markings!

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon of the Tundrius (arctic-breeding) race.
Look at that slender profile and beautiful blonde coloration!

Snowy Egrets (below) and Great Egret (above).

Sharp-shinned Hawk. She was a big one.
How would you describe the profile of this bird? Ignore size, focus on structure.

Great Egret

Monday's totals.

Tuesday's totals.

Good Hawkwatching,

Erik Bruhnke