Kiptopeke Hawkwatch
Tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 28, 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 4 818 1977
Bald Eagle 1 146 264
Northern Harrier 37 304 442
Sharp-shinned Hawk 68 5077 9218
Cooper's Hawk 22 1208 1876
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 16 17
Broad-winged Hawk 1 1040 1336
Red-tailed Hawk 0 135 180
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 1
American Kestrel 22 1991 4043
Merlin 10 692 1399
Peregrine Falcon 2 437 750
Unknown Accipiter 0 4 18
Unknown Buteo 0 1 2
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 2 12 20
Unknown Raptor 0 29 48
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1
Total: 169 11910 21592
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Observation start time: 06:45:00
Observation end time: 15:15:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Bob Anderson, Kyle Wright
Observers:
Weather:
Much cooler temperatures behind a cold front that passed last night, with a
high today of only 8.8c. Some precipitation already comming up from the
southwest with the next major low, resulting in spotty rain and drizzle
throughout the day. Surface level winds from the east northeast, averaging
2-5mph.
Raptor Observations:
Not half the flight I was hoping for/expecting... I suppose even when the
winds are right, being surounded by precipitation sort of puts a halt to
movement, except maybe for them crazy Harrier things.
Non-raptor Observations:
203 Great Blue Herons, 78 Common Loons, and 7,750 American Robins counted
today, with 5,670 of those Robins passing between seven and eight bird
time. Also at least 13 Eastern Bluebirds, and 9 Snow Geese seen with a few
more of the latter species heard. At least one Rusty Blackbird heard. One
(late) Barn Swallow noted with only a few hundred Tree Swallows on the
move, and a simmilar trickle (2 dozen-ish?) of Chimney Swifts as seen for
the last few days. Also American Pipits, Pine Siskins, and both Yellowlegs
species heard overhead. Conservativly 50 Killdeer, and a single Wilson's
Snipe seen. (That is what we're calling Common Snipes on the east coast now
a days, right? Anywho...) Golden Crowned Kinglets littering many of the
surrounding trees (500 seen over the course of the day?) and only one
Monarch Flutterby noted. We also learned today that this hawkcounter needs
to work on distant in flight duck identification, but at least 3
Bufflehead, 40ish dark-winged Scotters, and over 200 Aythya spp, along with
a hadfull of Green-winged Teal and Wood Ducks.
Predictions:
Looks to be a rain out on Saturday, but hopefully a backup of birds to move
through the area Sunday or Monday, after points north and west are
blanketed in white stuffs.
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Report submitted by Brian Taber (Taberzz@xxxxxxx)
Kiptopeke State Park information may be found at:
www.cvwo.org
