Weather: The day started out with rain through most of the first hour, then mostly cloudy skies with S-SW winds around 13 MPH and a high around 16C. Around 1:30, rain moved in for a short time, after which winds increased to around 25 MPH for teh rest of the count and switched around to the west.
Today’s migration was primarily right over Brockway and through the valley again today. The first Broad-winged Hawks of the count came by today. I ended the day with 4 birds. Sharp-shinned Hawk was the bird of the day with 118 birds. That puts the month total up to 333 birds. Turkey Vultures continue to confuse me by circling overhead and passing back and forth over the ridge. 71 birds today for a total of 228 so far this month. Bald Eagle numbers keep dropping; 2 today put the monthly count at 138. 28 Northern Harriers were counted today, the highest count for that species so far. Those birds brought the April count to 76. The second and third Osprey of the season also flew through today as did the first Cooper’s Hawk this month (2 last month). 48 Red-tailed Hawks brought the month count to 284. 20 Rough-legged Hawks was the high count of the season so far; 55 for April. And American Kestrels put in a good showing; 12 birds for 39 on the month. A single Merlin today brought the April count to 12 birds.
Skye and Caleb are in for me tomorrow. The forecast calls for northwest winds 20-30 MPH. Looks like I picked a good day to take off!
Max
The first Broad-winged Hawk of the count
Male American Kestrel
