Alton Bay Hawk Watch (14 Apr 2026) 52 Raptors
24 views
Skip to first unread message
rep...@hawkcount.org
Apr 14, 2026, 4:54:22 PM (8 days ago) Apr 14
to nhb...@googlegroups.com
Alton Bay Hawk Watch
Alton, New Hampshire, USA
Visitors:
16 including one older gentleman who recognized me as a hawk watcher, well, a bird watcher anyways, close enough.
Weather:
A delightful day for a hawk watch atop Pine Mountain today. Mostly overcast to start followed by clearing by 11:00 followed by overcast skies with a light brief shower at 1:30, then more clearing ending with overcast skies; light W breeze until 1:30 when it switched to SW; 60 - 77 F.
Raptor Observations:
Raptors are on the move. The goal is to get an earlier start on the season than in past years. When is the peak of spring Broad-winged Hawk migration? We know to the day in fall but not so much in spring. A good variety counted today with everything but falcons present. First kettle of the season formed 6 hawks strong.
Non-raptor Observations:
Some firsts of the year: 2 flocks of Double-crested Cormorants northbound, first towhee and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Pine Siskin is the most abundant non-raptor (13 or more).
Predictions:
Tomorrow's forecast calls for afternoon rain but it will be worth running a morning count with all the rain in the forecast, possibly no full-day count before Saturday.
Report submitted by Rob Woodward (touc...@yahoo.com)
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Alton, New Hampshire, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Osprey | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Northern Harrier | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 25 | 26 | 26 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Total: | 52 | 61 | 61 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Rob Woodward |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
16 including one older gentleman who recognized me as a hawk watcher, well, a bird watcher anyways, close enough.
Weather:
A delightful day for a hawk watch atop Pine Mountain today. Mostly overcast to start followed by clearing by 11:00 followed by overcast skies with a light brief shower at 1:30, then more clearing ending with overcast skies; light W breeze until 1:30 when it switched to SW; 60 - 77 F.
Raptor Observations:
Raptors are on the move. The goal is to get an earlier start on the season than in past years. When is the peak of spring Broad-winged Hawk migration? We know to the day in fall but not so much in spring. A good variety counted today with everything but falcons present. First kettle of the season formed 6 hawks strong.
Non-raptor Observations:
Some firsts of the year: 2 flocks of Double-crested Cormorants northbound, first towhee and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Pine Siskin is the most abundant non-raptor (13 or more).
Predictions:
Tomorrow's forecast calls for afternoon rain but it will be worth running a morning count with all the rain in the forecast, possibly no full-day count before Saturday.
Report submitted by Rob Woodward (touc...@yahoo.com)
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages