Braddock Bay (08 Aug 2025) 739 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
Aug 8, 2025, 10:01:43 PMAug 8
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Braddock Bay
Rochester, New York, USA
Visitors:
About 10 A group of 4 seniors from The Highlands were on a field trip today. BBRR Volunteer Samantha Cali and family
Weather:
Hot summer day, with temperatures starting in the mid 70's F warming up to the upper 80's. Still some wildfire haze, but less than previous days this past week. Warm, southerly winds brought us a banner day of raptors! Light SSW most of the day which strengthened a tad more to south by the count's end.
Raptor Observations:
LOTS of movement today! Today's total of 739 raptors is the highest day total since the Summer Raptor Count project started in 2019. Numerous kettles of both Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks, some mixed as well. Fortunately most of the flight was overhead as we watch from the shade of the hickory tree, but some birds were a little more lakeside or over the parking lot, and others went to our left over the fields. Sometimes birds were very high, but a little clouds kept most at binocular view. During the 9-10am EST hour Broad-winged Hawks (160) outnumbered Red-tails (134). Great Bald Eagle flight of 47 birds. Good variety today as well with 3 Northern Harriers, another Red-shouldered Hawk, and 1 each of American Kestrel and Merlin (which was mobbed by the swallows). The Mather banding station (across the bay) reported a Peregrine Falcon, but it was not seen at the watch. Adult Bald Eagle made an appearance, as did a couple of local osprey. Adult Red-tailed showed up to check out some of the juveniles passing through its territory.
Non-raptor Observations:
Too busy counting raptors to pay much attention to other birds today! The most numerous songbirds in the park are still the swallows, martins and goldfinches.
Predictions:
Similar conditions predicted for tomorrow, with light SW winds to start, shifting more SE later on. Another hot day as well, so we could see another great flight. Fingers crossed!
Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (df...@bbrr.org)
Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Rochester, New York, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 08, 2025 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 16 | 58 | 64 |
| Osprey | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 47 | 111 | 137 |
| Northern Harrier | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 247 | 319 | 321 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 422 | 717 | 752 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Kestrel | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Merlin | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Short-eared Owl | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 739 | 1216 | 1286 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Chris Smith |
| Observers: | Carol Dunn, Daena Ford, Meg Merchant, Samantha Cali, Tracy Merchant |
Visitors:
About 10 A group of 4 seniors from The Highlands were on a field trip today. BBRR Volunteer Samantha Cali and family
Weather:
Hot summer day, with temperatures starting in the mid 70's F warming up to the upper 80's. Still some wildfire haze, but less than previous days this past week. Warm, southerly winds brought us a banner day of raptors! Light SSW most of the day which strengthened a tad more to south by the count's end.
Raptor Observations:
LOTS of movement today! Today's total of 739 raptors is the highest day total since the Summer Raptor Count project started in 2019. Numerous kettles of both Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks, some mixed as well. Fortunately most of the flight was overhead as we watch from the shade of the hickory tree, but some birds were a little more lakeside or over the parking lot, and others went to our left over the fields. Sometimes birds were very high, but a little clouds kept most at binocular view. During the 9-10am EST hour Broad-winged Hawks (160) outnumbered Red-tails (134). Great Bald Eagle flight of 47 birds. Good variety today as well with 3 Northern Harriers, another Red-shouldered Hawk, and 1 each of American Kestrel and Merlin (which was mobbed by the swallows). The Mather banding station (across the bay) reported a Peregrine Falcon, but it was not seen at the watch. Adult Bald Eagle made an appearance, as did a couple of local osprey. Adult Red-tailed showed up to check out some of the juveniles passing through its territory.
Non-raptor Observations:
Too busy counting raptors to pay much attention to other birds today! The most numerous songbirds in the park are still the swallows, martins and goldfinches.
Predictions:
Similar conditions predicted for tomorrow, with light SW winds to start, shifting more SE later on. Another hot day as well, so we could see another great flight. Fingers crossed!
Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (df...@bbrr.org)
Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
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