Alton Bay Hawk Watch (17 Apr 2026) 61 Raptors
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Apr 17, 2026, 5:35:13 PM (5 days ago) Apr 17
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Alton Bay Hawk Watch
Alton, New Hampshire, USA
Visitors:
17, including "Barbara of Alton" who joined the Seacoast Chapter this morning on a field trip to Picassic Greenway in Newmarket and reports the bird of the day was Palm Warbler. One couple, upon learning that this is a hawk watch, asked me if I had seen the Steller's Sea Eagle back when. "I was out of state", I lamented. So even non-birders are still talking about that one.
Weather:
The forecast for today turned out to be a little bit more pessimistic than necessary. Yes, there was a rain delay but then after that sun and warm temperatures dominated. Winds were light from the NE the entire count; skies were mostly cloudy to start with the top of Mt Major in the clouds followed by increasing clearing; 61- 75 F.
Raptor Observations:
The 11:00 o'clock hour saw a kettle of 14, so far the biggest of the season. A dozen turkey Vultures were non-migrants as were 2 Ospreys and 3 Bald Eagles. The lone Cooper's Hawk was identified by his exaggerated "sky dance" wing flaps. How do Broad-winged Hawks differ in behavior between Spring and Fall? In Fall migration they are all business. Like Jake and Elwood, they are on a mission. They go straight down the pike, no dilly dally. Not so in spring. Sometimes they fly the wrong way. Pairs interact with each other, possibly they hook up on migration, not on the nesting grounds, and establish and/or enforce pair bonds along the way. It's the journey, not the destination.
Non-raptor Observations:
Today Yellow-rumped Warbler took over as most numerous non-raptor with Pine Siskin a close second. The first Red Eft of the season was seen on the hike up.
Predictions:
The forecast is for E winds and cooler temperatures, and no rain means I get a full day in. There should be a higher count tomorrow as we near the peak date. When will that be?
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 17, 2026 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Osprey | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 6 | 18 | 18 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 51 | 109 | 109 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| 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 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Total: | 61 | 165 | 165 |
| Observation start time: | 10:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5 hours |
| Official Counter | Rob Woodward |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
17, including "Barbara of Alton" who joined the Seacoast Chapter this morning on a field trip to Picassic Greenway in Newmarket and reports the bird of the day was Palm Warbler. One couple, upon learning that this is a hawk watch, asked me if I had seen the Steller's Sea Eagle back when. "I was out of state", I lamented. So even non-birders are still talking about that one.
Weather:
The forecast for today turned out to be a little bit more pessimistic than necessary. Yes, there was a rain delay but then after that sun and warm temperatures dominated. Winds were light from the NE the entire count; skies were mostly cloudy to start with the top of Mt Major in the clouds followed by increasing clearing; 61- 75 F.
Raptor Observations:
The 11:00 o'clock hour saw a kettle of 14, so far the biggest of the season. A dozen turkey Vultures were non-migrants as were 2 Ospreys and 3 Bald Eagles. The lone Cooper's Hawk was identified by his exaggerated "sky dance" wing flaps. How do Broad-winged Hawks differ in behavior between Spring and Fall? In Fall migration they are all business. Like Jake and Elwood, they are on a mission. They go straight down the pike, no dilly dally. Not so in spring. Sometimes they fly the wrong way. Pairs interact with each other, possibly they hook up on migration, not on the nesting grounds, and establish and/or enforce pair bonds along the way. It's the journey, not the destination.
Non-raptor Observations:
Today Yellow-rumped Warbler took over as most numerous non-raptor with Pine Siskin a close second. The first Red Eft of the season was seen on the hike up.
Predictions:
The forecast is for E winds and cooler temperatures, and no rain means I get a full day in. There should be a higher count tomorrow as we near the peak date. When will that be?
Report submitted by Rob Woodward (touc...@yahoo.com)
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
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