Tad reports 204 migrating raptors today. Turkey Vulture 177 White-tailed Kite 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 18 Cooper’s Hawk 3 Broad-winged Hawk 1 American Kestrel 3 Peregrine Falcon 1 Southerly winds and overcast skies kept the raptors from moving today. But Turkey Vultures didn’t get the memo. The skies were full of them midday for several hours. Bird of note for the … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/25/21 (222 raptors)
Bob reports 222 migrating raptors today. Black Vulture 11 Turkey Vulture 129 Mississippi Kite 2 Northern Harrier 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 Cooper’s Hawk 10 Bald Eagle 4 Broad-winged Hawk 42 Swainson’s Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 7 American Kestrel 3 It was foggy in the morning but cleared up by noon. First dark Broad-winged Hawk of the season! A dolphin sighting … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/24/21 (49 raptors)
Bob reports 49 migrating raptors today. Turkey Vulture 30 Osprey 1 Northern Harrier 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Cooper’s Hawk 3 Broad-winged Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 2 American Kestrel 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Strong SE winds killed the flight today. The lone frigatebird remains and about 50 Barns Swallows entertained everyone by swooping around the tower snapping up bugs.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/23/21 (176 raptors)
Bob reports 176 migrating raptors today. Turkey Vulture 125 Mississippi Kite 4 Northern Harrier 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 21 Cooper’s Hawk 10 White-tailed Hawk 1 Swainson’s Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 7 Merlin 2 A single frigatebird appeared, the first in a week. Several Blue Grosbeaks and Dickcissels passed through but the best was a White-tailed Kite harassing a … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/22/21 (465 raptors)
Bob reports 465 migrating raptors today. Turkey Vulture 197 Northern Harrier 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 Cooper’s Hawk 4 Bald Eagle 3 (all adults) Broad-winged Hawk 226 Swainson’s Hawk 3 Red-tailed Hawk 4 American Kestrel 17 Merlin 2 Peregrine Falcon 1 A heavy fog lifted around 9:30 and the east wind supported some flight. Lots of swallows!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/21/21 (463 raptors)
Bob reports 463 migrating raptors today. Turkey Vulture 84 Mississippi Kite 1 Northern Harrier 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 Cooper’s Hawk 7 White-tailed Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 326 Swainson’s Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 22 Peregrine Falcon 5 The winds were NE turning to variable. A lone Wood Stork flew by again, probably the same loner as yesterday. Two … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/20/21 (582 raptors)
Bob reports 582 migrating raptors today. Turkey Vulture 21 Osprey 1 Northern Harrier 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 39 Cooper’s Hawk 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 486 Swainson’s Hawk 1 American Kestrel 23 The wind started out NE which brought some birds but then switched to the E. A lone Wood Stork graced the tower today. Sara Harrison helped out.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/19/21 (1039 raptors)
Tad reports 1039 migrating raptors today. Turkey Vulture 45 Black Vulture 6 Osprey 1 Northern Harrier 4 Mississippi Kite 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 39 Cooper’s Hawk 8 Bald Eagle 2 Broad-winged Hawk 899 Swainson’s Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 28 Merlin 2 Peregrine Falcon 1 It was a pleasant fall day with moderate easterly winds. Early on the only … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/18/21 (79 raptors)
Bob reports 79 migrating raptors today. Turkey Vulture 34 Northern Harrier 6 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 Cooper’s Hawk 14 Bald Eagle 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 6 Swainson’s Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 2 American Kestrel 8 Lots of swallows on a slow raptor day. Sara Harrison helped out today.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/17/21 (242 raptors)
Bob reports 242 migrating raptors today. Black Vulture 7 Turkey Vulture 59 Northern Harrier 20 Sharp-shinned Hawk 31 Cooper’s Hawk 22 Common Black-Hawk 1 Bald Eagle 1 Broad-winged Hawk 74 Swainson’s Hawk 5 Red-tailed Hawk 5 American Kestrel 13 Merlin 4 A young Common Black-Hawk surprised everyone when it sailed over! The wind started out NE, then switched to E … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/16/21 (1052 raptors)
Bob reports 1052 migrating raptors today. Black Vulture 3 Turkey Vulture 131 White-tailed Kite 1 Mississippi Kite 1 Northern Harrier 8 Sharp-shinned Hawk 329 Cooper’s Hawk 46 Bald Ealge 1 White-tailed Hawk 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 962 Swainson’s Hawk 9 Red-tailed Hawk 3 American Kestrel 21 Merlin 3 Peregrine Falcon 2 North wind supported a great flight today. … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 10/15/21 (421 raptors)
Bob reports 421 migrating raptors today. Osprey 1 White-tailed Kite 1 Mississippi Kite 3 Northern Harrier 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 222 Cooper’s Hawk 20 unidentified accipiter 2 Broad-winged Hawk 152 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 9 Peregrine Falcon 7 A mild south wind supported this flight apparently. The birds of the day were all those sharpies! Between 3:00 and 4:45 179 … Read More