Kiptopeke Hawkwatch
Tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 16, 2011
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 20 2014
Bald Eagle 0 19 288
Northern Harrier 5 59 515
Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 336 9735
Cooper's Hawk 6 90 2000
Northern Goshawk 0 2 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 26 46
Broad-winged Hawk 0 1 1338
Red-tailed Hawk 1 129 347
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 4 5
American Kestrel 0 32 4088
Merlin 0 15 1415
Peregrine Falcon 0 13 767
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 19
Unknown Buteo 0 0 3
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 2 22
Unknown Raptor 0 1 49
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2
Total: 23 751 22655
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Kyle Wright
Observers:
Weather:
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations:
While the hawkflight was still a bit lackluster, there were plenty of nice
non raptors around. The first thing I heard upon arriving at the fogged in
platform for the second time at nine was the gravelly/buzzy flight call of
a (late) Rough-winged Swallow. As the fog started to lift, I saw something
I have never seen in years of migration monitoring. For about fifteen
minutes there was a flight of about 500 Dark-eyed Juncos. All southbound
(not reverse migration like they were just comming down for the morning),
well above treeline, in loose groups and in broad daylight. Between nine
and noon, there was a nice flight of (traditionally) diurnally migrating
passerines including 6530 American Robins, about 1510 Cedar Waxwings, and
an amazing 378 Eastern Bluebirds. Horned Larks, American Pipits, American
Goldfinch, and various icterids were also seen and heard headed south
overhead, and a single very pale Rusty Blackbird was seen headed southeast.
A small flock of (about 20) Green-winged Teal were seen, as was another
White Pelican. Also one lingering Monarch.
Predictions:
Another cold front that may not go entierly our way. If the rain clears out
in the morning, there may be a decent flight on Thursday, but the National
Weather Service is now saying there is an 80% chance the rain could stick
around until the afternoon. While we might like to think this would just
push the flight associated with the temperature drop back a day, winds for
Friday are curently predicted to be out of the west, pushing birds to the
seaside of the peninsula. I keep telling myself a Buteo flight has to come
along some day... but I also regularly tell myself I am not going to turn
thirty until I'm married... take these comments with whatever helpings of
salt you think they deserve.
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Report submitted by Brian Taber (Taberzz@xxxxxxx)
Kiptopeke State Park information may be found at:
www.cvwo.org
