Wind (current)

Sep 22nd - Bird Species #212

Hi folks,

Sorry this is a little late but, better late than never, right?  Anyway, our good birding friend Noam Markus found and photographed a Northern Waterthrush (our 29th Warbler species) in the north-western corner of the park back on September 9th.  This is just another amazing sighting and new addition for our little garden park.  Bird species #212.  Way to go Noam!

All 212 bird species and 2 'spuhs' can be found here

Walter

Septemer 21-2017

One measly peregrine!

This continues to be a very frustrating fall migration and I expect more of the same with this heat wave.  Theresa sent along this report:

Non-raptors:
Magnolia Warbler
2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
and all the regulars

Again the Monarchs were migrating at at least one per minute and by the afternoon there were at least two dozen Painted Ladies in the park at the same time.

Observers: Sonja, Hugh, Beryl and Theresa

Thanks to everyone who keeps going out.  On the plus side, it's always nice to get together and it's great that we have such a beautiful park full of other types of wildlife.  It never gets boring!

Lee


September 20/2017

From Theresa:

Only two Sharp-shinned hawks migrating.  Also two groups of Blue Jays, totalling about 50 birds, about 25 Robins and 25 White-throated Sparrows.  One Black-throated Blue Warbler the only warbler nearby, but we didn't wander much

About one Monarch every minute from 10:45 to 1:45 pm

Present: Carol, Ann, Berryl, Betty, Terry and Theresa

Lee

Sep 19th - The Numbers So Far

Well folks, unfortunately the 'Global Warming' effect is not doing us any favours at Rosetta.  It's not doing any Hawk Watches along the shores of the Great Lakes any favours either!  The cool north-west winds have yet to blow and the low count totals so far are a clear result.  Hopefully things will change soon!!!!!  Enjoy the lasting heat and humidity while you can!

To Date (as of Sep 19th):
Turkey Vulture - 23
Osprey - 25
Bald Eagle - 30
Northern Harrier - 15
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 169
Cooper's Hawk - 18
Broad-winged Hawk - 13
Red-tailed Hawk - 22
American Kestrel - 45
Merlin - 12
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 375

The Numbers comparison (as of Sep 19th):
2010 - 3188
2011 - 1968
2012 - 1660
2013 - 1610
2014 - 3220
2015 - 1941
2016 - 1098
2017 - 375

Thousands of raptors are heading south at this time (Sharpies, Kestrels, and Broad-wings especially) but without the north-west winds a-blowin' it's unlikely we'll be seeing many of them in the sky over Rosetta.  They'll be crossing the city further to the north unfortunately.  We have to continue to watch for them all the same as this is the ultimate reason why we hawk-watch in the first place (sure they're beautiful to look at!).  As observers of nature, we have to know what they're doing and where they're flying whether good or bad.

Keep up the excellent job everyone!

Walter


September 16-2017

Another quiet day.  Thanks to Dave for being a rock star and going out on these slow days.

Sharp-shinned hawks - 3

Notable birds include a great crested flycatcher.
 
Lee