Pownal, Maine, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 16, 2018 |
Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Turkey Vulture | 4 | 18 | 18 |
Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bald Eagle | 6 | 20 | 20 |
Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cooper's Hawk | 3 | 6 | 6 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 12 | 12 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total: | 16 | 60 | 60 |
Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
Total observation time: | 8 hours |
Official Counter | Zane Baker |
Observers: | |
Visitors:18 visitors stopped to chat about birds today.
One individual commenting that the Hawkwatch is her official sign of
spring. While describing to a couple about how the high winds could impact
daily flights, I turned in time to see my spotting scope tripod turned into
a bipod as it listed twenty degrees to the port side. Caught it just in
time, and promptly lowered its stature.
Weather:Despite the stronger westerly winds and cooler temperatures compared to
yesterday, the more abundant afternoon sun and solar gain helped make
things comfortably cold. Scattered cloud cover slowly receded throughout
the day giving way to blue skies.
Temperatures hovered right at, and just below the freezing mark. Wind gusts
were strong at times. Visibility was good but there was considerable heat
distortion and a minor haze.
Raptor Observations:A handful of Turkey Vultures came through during the first hour but
remained elusive the rest of the day; wind and snow cover being a plausible
explanation.
More Eagles were on the move again. There were a few more immature birds
today. Even the Eagles could be seen fighting against the higher wind
speeds. I'm feeling a little more confident about an established pair of
Red-tailed Hawks on territory, in an area to the west often referred to as,
The Gap. Like two synchronized swimmers, the birds occasionally would fly
in unison, matching wing-beats and stopping to kite at the same moment,
stacked, one just above and to the right of the other. For a second I
thought I had double vision. They were seen a few times during the day
actively hunting.
Unfortunately, I had to mark my first unidentified bird today. I was hoping
to make it through the first week, at least. A poor angle, distance, and
heat distortion made for enough uncertainty, I couldn't be confidant in the
species. A mystery Accipiter.
Non-raptor Observations:Not a lot of bird song or sightings today. Northbound species included:
37 American Crows