Hawkwatch - November 3, 4, 5, 2018

Today is a rain day. Howling rains out of the east have put a damper on the day's potential raptor flights. Nearly 1,200 raptors have been seen migrating past the Cape May Hawk Watch over the weekend.

Yesterday we scored our first-of-the-season Northern Goshawk! This uncommon visitor is known for showing up towards the end of the season. They are a big treat to see here in Cape May. The busy flights of Sharp-shinned Hawks continue. We had many great comparison views of Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks on Sunday.

As of Sunday we're currently holding Cape May's record season count of Bald Eagles, and we still have over three more weeks of hawkcounting to go!

Gray Ghost - Adult Male Northern Harrier. He knows he is handsome!

Merlin

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Osprey migrating under the morning flight.

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon carrying a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Adult Red-shouldered Hawk

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon

Backside of the first Northern Goshawk of the season.
The large-winged and heavy-bellied profile is a good feature to look for this species.
Also note the pale "tawny" bar that runs along the mid-wing.
Among accipiters, this is a unique feature of Northern Goshawk.

Northern Goshawk #1 flying away. Note the Heavy-bellied profile and heavily streaked undersides.
Unlike Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper's Hawks, the Northern Goshawk has streaked undertail coverts.

Northern Goshawk #2. Note the heavy/thick wings, barrel-chested profile, and white supercilium (eyebrow stripe).

Sunday's totals.

Good hawkwatching,
Erik Bruhnke