Wind (current)

Sep 18th - Another 16 Bald Eagles!

Today sure started off 'iffy', didn't know if we'd see anything with the heavy clouds and dampness in the air.  Thankfully as the day progressed the sky became clearer and clearer.  Though the eagles and osprey were up high again today, most flew right over top of us giving us spectacular views.  Though we didn't get as many Broad-wings as we'd hoped for, we did finish the day with a respectable count of 89 - remember twice that number is normally a good BW year at Rosetta.

Today was my day to be attacked by a bird - lol!  As I was standing along the fence-line looking north and just about to say "eagle over Kingston Road", I got this really loud buzzing noise coming from behind my head.  As I lunged forward and knocked my baseball cap off, everyone laughed and said "you had a Hummingbird behind you".  That's not what it sounded like from my angle!  Imagine the sound of some 200 wing beats per second right behind your ears, and in stereo!  The hummer must've thought that the small logo on the back of my bright red cap was the center of a flower.  Too funny!

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 52
Osprey - 14
Bald Eagle - 16
Northern Harrier - 11
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 106
Cooper's Hawk - 2
Broad-winged Hawk - 89
Red-tailed Hawk - 3
American Kestrel - 31
Merlin - 3
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 328

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 101
Osprey - 112
Bald Eagle - 58
Northern Harrier - 46
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1294
Cooper's Hawk - 15
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 1294
Red-tailed Hawk - 23
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 202
Merlin - 54
Peregrine Falcon - 4
Total - 3203

Here are two beautiful eagle shots that Kris got today...



Best non-raptor sighting of the day was a Common Nighthawk flying high along the shoreline.  Also, a pocket or two of Warblers were seen early in the day.

During the afternoon the Dragonfly and Monarch numbers rose substantially.  I estimate that we had another 200+ day for Monarchs.

Hawk-watchers today included - Dave, Bruce, Charlie, Sarah, Ron, Kris, Norm, Terry, Berle, Betty, Don, Manny, Arvo, Murray, Pat & Nancy, Carol, Hugh, Byron, Lee, Bruce & Ann Falls, and a nice couple who were over visiting and birding from England.  My thanks to everyone for another great day.

Walter

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