Counts
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 12
Broad-winged Hawk 27
American Kestrel 2
unknown accipiter 1
unknown raptor 1
Total 48
Observation Period: 9:00AM -5:30PM
Observers: Todd Watts, Richard Blacquiere, Ken, Will and Jocelyn Harte
Weather: 55% cloud-cover at 9AM right after a cold front passed. Clouds quickly disappeared leaving the skies cloudless other than at the distant horizon. Some high clouds eventually appeared in the southwestern sky during late afternoon. Heavy NW winds 25kmh or more gusting to 50, backing off slightly after 4PM. Rh 76% dropping to 48.Notes: Heavier than expected winds and fewer hawks than seemed likely with more favourable conditions. A bummer for today, but it does leave more hawks for the coming days and weeks. Spotting was challenging in the cloudless skies.
A group of 16 Broad-wings passing overhead at 4:35PM and local raptors putting on a late day show helped save the day. When the next front clears the area, we will be moving into peak season.
Highlights: A kettle of sixteen Broad-wings directly overhead, late in the day. A Red-tailed Hawk repeatedly kiting and hovering right at the site (late day). And a resident Merlin putting on a good show dog fighting with three American Kestrels late in the day (right at the site).
Birds going for the decoy: None (very surprising with NW winds, even though they were heavy)
Raptor interactions: Merlin and American Kestrel, American Kestrel and American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Common Raven, Common Raven and Sharp-shinned Hawk, Common Raven and Osprey, Bald Eagle and Osprey (aggressor listed first)
Non-raptors: Pretty quiet
Tomorrow: Poor conditions are expected for the next two days. Good conditions are expected on Friday. From that point through the end of the month, favourable conditions will capable of, if not likely to produce the biggest flights of the year. No one person can spot all the hawks, so help will be needed. Visiting the site also helps support the project.
More details can be found at https://www.hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at https://www.hmana.org/
This project takes place on private land. Please contact the project co-ordinator before visiting the site.
Primary support comes from the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) with additional support from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, private donors and the volunteers. Purchasing conservation license plates supports the NBWTF and this project.
Todd Watts
Official Counter/Co-ordinator
Greenlaw Mountain Hawk Watch
Saint John Naturalists’ Club