Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
darl...@cogeco.ca
The hawkwatch is off to a roaring start with over 5,000 migrants counted by March 31 for the first time since 2012.
April is normally busier than March, but I cannot guarantee that we shall continue to experience high numbers. Much credit goes to our volunteer counters and spotters.
Much of the increase is Turkey Vultures (4,287 vs 3,468 last year). One of the specialty birds, Red-shouldered Hawk, has shown a large increase (347 vs 215), whereas Red-tailed Hawks are down (270 vs 405). There are no clear trends among other species.
We welcome visitors as we approach the peak time, although Broad-winged Hawks will not arrive in large numbers until the last two weeks of April, although they are being seen in Texas.
We still have none of our rarities: American Goshawk, Black Vulture, Swainson’s Hawk (still a bit early), and Mississippi Kite (May).
Sandy
Alexander (Sandy) L. Darling