Counts
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1 (male)
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Total 7
Observation Period: 10:30AM – 5:00PM
Observers: Todd Watts, Mike Bamford
Weather: Dense fog lifting before the start. Cloud-cover 95 to 100% during the morning. Afternoon clouds 45 to 80%. Wind var. less than 5kmh becoming WSW by mid-afternoon. Rh 90% dropping to 64 before increasing to 74. Mild.
Notes: Little movement of air or bird today. Kinda goes with the rest of the month. Sharp-shins were recorded in record low numbers this month. Broad-wings were way below average (fifth lowest in eighteen years). And American Kestrels were well below average (fourth lowest in eighteen years). Seven days of northeast winds played a major role in these low numbers. However, the low number of Broad-wings preceded the nor’easter and seems likely to be the result of recent droughts causing birds to go elsewhere in search of food. October could be better as some of the adults and different species move through. It’s also a good time of year for rarities. So the season is far from over.
Highlights: Just some close eagles and vultures today, along with a Merlin streaking through. Nice viewing of the harrier through the scope. Very quiet otherwise.
Birds going for the decoy: Merlin
Raptor interactions: Peregrine Falcon and Turkey Vulture, Peregrine Falcon and American Herring Gull (aggressor listed first)
Non-raptors: No movement was detected.
The coming days: Looks like southerly winds for Thursday and Friday (no counts are planned). Saturday could be interesting with NW winds in the forecast. The forecast for next week looks very interesting with some low temps and favourable winds expected.
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