Counts
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 11
Bald Eagle 4
Northern Harrier 3 (1 immature, 2 unknown)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 215
American Kestrel 7
Peregrine Falcon 2
unknown raptor 2
Total 263
Observation Period: 9:00AM -5:00PM
Observers: Todd Watts, Richard Blacquiere, Mike Bamford, Gary and Catrina Lenehan, Dorothy Chase
Weather: Not a cloud in the sky until some high clouds arrived from the west around 2PM (building to 25% by 4PM). Wind initially 5-10kmh from the north. By 11AM wind speed had dropped to less than 5, becoming near calm at times by Noon. Afternoon winds WNW less than 5kmh. Rh 82% dropping to 55.
Notes: About an hour of decent movement occurred as thermals formed. Then it just stopped. Only one BW between 11:45AM and 5PM. The high clouds of mid to late afternoon were worked pretty hard, but very few birds were found.
Highlights: Nice viewing during the AM with plenty of birds passing overhead at low altitude.
Birds going for the decoy: Merlin and American Kestrel
Raptor interactions: Merlin and Broad-winged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk, Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle (aggressor listed first)
Non-raptors: A few passerines including a few swallows.
The coming days: Poor winds are expected for Wednesday. No counts are planned. Thursday doesn’t look very good, but there is a slight chance that a brief period of decent conditions might occur in the morning. Friday and Saturday should bring a good flight.
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