Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory (17 Oct 2017) 37 Raptors
7 views
Skip to first unread message
rep...@hawkcount.org
Oct 17, 2017, 5:12:30 PM10/17/17
to nhb...@googlegroups.com
Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory
Peterborough, New Hampshire, USA
Visitors:
55 visitors today from near and far: Oregon, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and the Czech Republic. A couple teachers from the Scottish Highlands stayed two hours longer than they'd planned and were rewarded with sightings of a juvenile goshawk and Bald Eagle. "All right," said one to the other, "if we don't leave now, we never will."
Weather:
Clear skies and clean air, all the way to Mt. Washington. Temperatures began around freezing, and birds were slow to get moving. Very light westerly winds went quiet by noon, meaning migrants were kept at or below eye-level most of the day.
Raptor Observations:
A pair of bald eagles, young and old, were the first birds of the day, hugging the western ridge at the limit of binocular vision. This was the flight-line for many migrants that followed: most stayed well west of the peak. Adult and immature red-shoulders put on good shows, plumage lit up in flattering light to great effect.
Non-raptor Observations:
A pair of Red Crossbills broke the frosty stillness this morning, jip-jip-jipping around the spruces west of the peak. Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warblers (4), and Canada Geese (11) were other migrants of note. Ravens croaked and chortled and staked claims to all corners of the sky today, with a high count of 71 birds aloft at 10 a.m.
Predictions:
Sunny and warm, winds 5-10 mph out of the west. Expect numbers similar to today's, but the Golden Eagle window is opening...
Report submitted by Henry Walters (walter...@gmail.com)
Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.nhaudubon.org
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Peterborough, New Hampshire, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2017 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 2 | 241 | 248 |
| Osprey | 0 | 45 | 212 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 52 | 130 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 18 | 62 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 19 | 323 | 1055 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2 | 40 | 112 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 6 | 34 | 49 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 26 | 8744 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4 | 70 | 76 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 50 | 158 |
| Merlin | 0 | 24 | 91 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 35 | 55 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 12 | 39 |
| Total: | 37 | 986 | 11051 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Henry Walters |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
55 visitors today from near and far: Oregon, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and the Czech Republic. A couple teachers from the Scottish Highlands stayed two hours longer than they'd planned and were rewarded with sightings of a juvenile goshawk and Bald Eagle. "All right," said one to the other, "if we don't leave now, we never will."
Weather:
Clear skies and clean air, all the way to Mt. Washington. Temperatures began around freezing, and birds were slow to get moving. Very light westerly winds went quiet by noon, meaning migrants were kept at or below eye-level most of the day.
Raptor Observations:
A pair of bald eagles, young and old, were the first birds of the day, hugging the western ridge at the limit of binocular vision. This was the flight-line for many migrants that followed: most stayed well west of the peak. Adult and immature red-shoulders put on good shows, plumage lit up in flattering light to great effect.
Non-raptor Observations:
A pair of Red Crossbills broke the frosty stillness this morning, jip-jip-jipping around the spruces west of the peak. Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warblers (4), and Canada Geese (11) were other migrants of note. Ravens croaked and chortled and staked claims to all corners of the sky today, with a high count of 71 birds aloft at 10 a.m.
Predictions:
Sunny and warm, winds 5-10 mph out of the west. Expect numbers similar to today's, but the Golden Eagle window is opening...
Report submitted by Henry Walters (walter...@gmail.com)
Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.nhaudubon.org
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages