Hawk Count-Past Few Weeks

Turkey Vultures have been by far the predominant raptor the past few weeks, with Sharpies in moderate numbers some days, and Peregrines putting on a nice show.  Highlights will be gone over on an individual species basis, except for those on October 2nd, which will be more detailed.

Turkey Vulture-Notable counts include 161 on the 27th, 262 on the 28th, and 242 on October 1st.

Osprey have been in very thin numbers, with the latest on October 2nd.

Bald Eagles have been in low numbers, with a peak of 14 on the 28th during the period.

Northern Harriers have been largely absent, with a peak of 3 on the 26th.

Sharp-shinned Hawks have been the next most dominant raptor the past few weeks, with notable counts of 75-79 on the 26th through 28th, and 71 on October 6th.

Cooper’s Hawks have been in small numbers with a peak of 3 on the 7th.

Red-shouldered Hawks have been slowly increasing with a peak of 4 on the 4th.

Broad-winged Hawks have been surprisingly consistent, with a peak of 28 on the 28th.

Red-tailed Hawks have been steadily increasing, with a peak of 48 on October 1st (outside of the 2nd).

Rough-legged Hawk-a few more have gone through, with individuals on the 27th, 1st, and 6th.

Golden Eagle-another bird passed through on the 4th.

American Kestrels have been steady, with a peak of 22 on the 27th.

Merlin also peaked on the 27th, with 3.

Peregrine Falcons have been rather nice, with a daily stretch of them from September 24th through September 30th.  They peaked on the 27th with 7 birds.

Sandhill Cranes, Blackbirds, Pipits, Longspurs, Horned Larks, Black-capped Chickadees, and Palm Warblers have been in good numbers.  Notable others include Cackling Geese, Snow Geese, Red-throated Loons, American Golden-Plovers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and a continuing Carolina Wren.

October 2nd was the nicest day of the period, with over 3,000 birds recorded for the day.  Over 1,000 of these were raptors.  The breakdown was: Turkey Vulture-576, Osprey-1, Bald Eagle-12, Sharp-shinned Hawk-204, Cooper’s Hawk-1, Red-shouldered Hawk-1, Broad-winged Hawk-11, Red-tailed Hawk-211, American Kestrel-11, and Peregrine Falcon-1.  Also notable were 1,487 Sandhill Cranes, 170 Rusty Blackbirds, and 192 Pine Siskins.

Monarchs have been about every other day now (probably due to weather), with 33 on the 28th the highest count of the period.

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