Howling east winds mixed with sleet and rain have put a damper on the day's migration. A few hardy raptors pushed through before the elements took hold.
Yesterday, Wednesday, was a thrilling late-fall day to scan the skies at the Cape May Hawk Watch. A steady stream of buteos moved throughout the entire day. An incredible movement of 15,683 American Robins and 5,404 American Goldfinches flooded the air with their presence. Within the first hour after daybreak a Common Redpoll and Lapland Longspur flew over the hawkwatch. Lines of Northern Gannets and Red-throated Loons streamed by over the Delaware Bay. Birds were all over the place. By the end of the day, 475 raptors were tallied from the hawkwatch.
Northern Goshawk are a late-season treat to witness in Cape May. Often times you have to put in the hours to see them, as they are very uncommon. This is the time of the fall when they can show up, especially after strong and forceful cold fronts move through.
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| Hooded Mergansers |
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| Bald Eagle |
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| Merlin carrying a Tree Swallow |
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Adult Red-shouldered Hawk (bottom left) and juvenile Red-tailed Hawk (upper right).
Two different buteo species. What differences do you see? |
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| Adult Peregrine Falcon |
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| One of the spectacular stars of the day... a Juvenile Northern Goshawk! |
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| Wednesday's totals. |
Tomorrow's forecast is blustery northwest winds and clearing skies. The heavy snowfall that took place well north of us could spark an interesting flow of migration in the days to come.
See you at the hawkwatch!
Erik Bruhnke
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