This past week the fall count brought some exciting sights, but let’s first get into the numbers. The total number of raptors counted was 1,722 with Wednesday the 23rd being the highest count day of the week at 517, which accounted for about a third of the week’s total. The second most active day of the week was Thursday the 24th with 309 raptors counted.
As for the raptors themselves, this week saw a very large number of Turkey Vultures moving through with a total of 789. Their biggest day for their flight was Wednesday the 23rd which was also the biggest day of the season so far for Sharp-shinned Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks. We also recorded Bald Eagles, Broad-winged Hawks, American Kestrels, Northern Harriers, Red-shouldered Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, Osprey and Cooper’s Hawks.
As for highlights, on Friday the 25th, the first Golden Eagle of the season was seen. The second highlight this week was what appeared to be a dark morph Sharp-shinned Hawk that was seen on Sunday the 27th! This was a great week for raptor migration, and we anticipate the coming weeks will be even better as raptor migration ramps up. Stay tuned!
Submitted by: Patience Holt, volunteer