Counts
Turkey Vulture 26
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 42
Northern Harrier 2 (1 immature, 1 unknown)
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 2 (1 adult, 1 unknown)
Total 77
Observation Period: 9:00AM – 5:30PM
Observers: Todd Watts
Weather: 5 to 10% cloud-cover. Wind west in the upper Beaufort 4 range quickly increasing into the 5 range. Gusts likely approached gale force. Rh 72% dropping to 51.
Notes: Very slow yet steady movement of Bald Eagles through 1PM resulting in a new single day high. Some Turkey Vultures moving before noon. The afternoon was slow (the winds were intense). Both Peregrines passed overhead at very low altitude (everything was low today). The second was the palest I have ever seen, appearing to lack chest barring. Wheeler’s Raptors includes an image titled “pale type F.p. tundrius” that seems to match. Apparently, this is a rare plumage type. The bird was being hit by gale force winds as it passed overhead, so I cannot describe it beyond the notable paleness, which seemed to include the face.
Highlights: Good viewing of all Bald Eagle age classes. A good day for study. Close Peregrines, Merlin, Red-tail, vultures as well as the numerous eagles.
Birds going for the decoy: Merlin
Raptor interactions: Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)
Non-raptors: Roughly siskin headed towards the border.
The coming days: Looks like a SW wind will develop on Wednesday. I expect to count for a couple hours. Thursday will bring a southerly flow and maybe rain (a day off). Looks like west winds for Friday.
More details can be found at https://www.hawkcount.org. Additional information on hawk migration can be found at https://www.hmana.org/
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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