Text and photos by Erik
Bruhnke
2018 Cape May Hawkwatch
Counter
Cape May Bird
Observatory
The 2018 Cape May
Hawkwatch enjoyed many highlights throughout the season. Quieter moments took
place earlier on in September, with record-breaking highlights throughout the
middle portion of migration, and solid late-season flights continuing through
the closing day.
September was filled
with a smattering of unseasonably hot days. The warm temperatures mixed with
east and southeast winds to create lulls in the numbers of raptors detected
daily. There was one catch to the less-than-favorable conditions... while these
winds often keep many soaring raptors to the north (farther away from Cape May
Point) they also bring raptors that might be migrating over the ocean into view
from the hawkwatch. Despite these challenging winds, this season racked up the
second highest seasonal Osprey count (6064 individuals) and second highest
seasonal Peregrine Falcon count (1520 individuals) in the history of the Cape
May Hawkwatch! Both of these raptors are known for migrating over both land and
bodies of water. These species are sometimes seen at first light hauling across
Delaware Bay, and they can also be seen midday soaring high overhead with the
other raptors. A total of 11,986 raptors were counted throughout September.
Early morning songbird flights of warblers and other long-distance songbird
migrants wowed visitors all month long.
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Juvenile
Peregrine Falcon
|
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Sharp-shinned
Hawk
|
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| This rare Manx Shearwater showed up on September 9th. It is being chased by a Parasitic Jaeger in this photo. |
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| One of seven Hudsonian Godwits counted from the hawkwatch platform. |
October was filled with
many cool days supported by north and northwest winds. On October 12th, the
largest American Kestrel count ever documented in Cape May took place. These
beautiful falcons were already aloft by twilight, migrating through the early morning
skies of violet and black. By day's end, 5,406 American Kestrels had been
tallied. Watching them was mesmerizing. Counting them was exhilarating.
Witnessing that day's migration felt like a dream. Fourteen of the 15 Golden
Eagles observed this fall were also seen in October, part of the month’s total
of 35,305 raptors. Winter finches also begun moving through the area.
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American
Kestrel
|
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Immature
Golden Eagle
|
Like October, November
was filled with many cool days and northwest winds. We experienced numerous
exciting flights of Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks. Northern Goshawk
numbers increased as the month progressed. All of the 17 Northern Goshawk documented
this fall were seen in November. A strong Bald Eagle flight continued from the
previous two months, tallying 921 individuals for the season. This is the
highest Bald Eagle total ever compiled in Cape May hawkcounting history. A
total of 6,205 raptors were counted in November. A grand total of 15 species of
raptors were documented throughout the three months.
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Juvenile
Red-tailed Hawk
|
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Juvenile
Northern Goshawk
|
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Adult
Red-shouldered Hawk
|
Hawkwatches are great
places to study raptors and non-raptors alike. One of the pleasures of the Cape
May Hawkwatch is its proximity to the ocean as well as its placement at the end
of a prominent peninsula. Forests and marshes to our north offer shelter and
food for a rich variety of birds migrating through the area. Beyond the tip of
Cape May Point is the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, which bring many offshore-dwelling
birds into view. Just beyond the hawkwatch platform is Bunker Pond, an
important source of food and fresh water to many waterfowl and shorebirds
making their way through. The adjacent habitats of Cape May Point State Park
are home to many year-round and migrating bird species. The overall bird migration
this season lived up to its claim to fame! The annual "inundation" of
Yellow-rumped Warblers and high-flying American Robins took place. Swirling
murmurations of Tree Swallows took our breath away as they flocked together for
safety or merely took a break from eating the rich supply of bayberries. It is
a great challenge putting this spectacle into words. These flights of birds
will change the way you see the outdoors.
Winter finches were also
a noteworthy part of this fall's highlights. Busy flocks of Purple Finches
poured through the skies earlier on, followed by several Red Crossbills,
Evening Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins, and thousands of American
Goldfinches. Throughout the season we also witnessed Sandhill Cranes flying by,
a rare but annual treat for the area. A Little Gull was documented in November,
only to be followed by a Black-headed Gull!
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Sandhill
Cranes
|
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Juvenile
Black-headed Gull
|
Every fall is different,
and the world around us is ever-changing. This year marked the 43rd season
of the Cape May Hawkwatch. Us hawk counters do what we do for the love of bird
migration and for the love of contributing to a better understanding of birds.
A special shout out goes to Count Coordinator Tom Reed for his using his
expertise and skills as a relief counter. The 53,495 raptors counted this fall
will take their place in the long-term analysis of population trends. This
season total represents the highest raptor count since 1999. The camaraderie of
everyone coming together has again made this such a special place. Birds bring
us together, and it has been a pleasure experiencing this migration with
everyone who reads the blog and visits the hawkwatch.
Wishing you all good
birding,
Erik Bruhnke
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