Counts
Osprey 5
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 20
Broad-winged Hawk 7
American Kestrel 14
Merlin 1
unknown raptor 1
Total 51
Observation Period: 10:00AM -2:30PM
Observers: Todd Watts
Weather: 60% cloud-cover at the start, building to 100% by noon. Wind less than 5 kmh, E becoming SE by 1PM. Rh 80% dropping to 68% before increasing to 75% as air from the bay moved in.
Notes: A light north wind was evident during the first couple hours of daylight. In response, I headed to the site with hopes that a few of the smaller raptors would move as the air heated in late morning.
A light movement of mostly low flying birds did occur. Nearly all were well north of the site, which is expected here with such light winds. Viewing wasn’t great. By mid-afternoon, migrants were becoming increasingly few and local raptors were becoming relatively inactive, so I called it a day.
Highlights: A Sharp-shin zipping past me below eye level about 4 metres away. Some good viewing of kestrels.
Birds going for the decoy: Sharp-shinned Hawk
Raptor interactions: Sharp-shinned Hawk and Northern Harrier, American Kestrel and Broad-winged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk (aggressor listed first)
Non-raptors: A few passerines moving.
The coming days: Looks like there will be shower activity slowly moving out during the AM on Friday. This could delay the start of observations. A heavy NW wind is expected to develop sometime after noon. Significant afternoon movement of Broad-wings is possible. These birds are likely to be scattered and relatively unorganized in the heavy winds, but likely moving at low altitudes. Saturday seems likely to bring lighter NW winds and good push of Broad-wings.
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