HSR: Ashland Nature Center (14 Nov 2009) 11 Raptors

[reports-4]

Ashland Nature Center
Hockessin, Delaware, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 14, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0            186            518
Turkey Vulture               4            332            662
Osprey                       0              4            223
Bald Eagle                   0             15            219
Northern Harrier             0              9             73
Sharp-shinned Hawk           2            175           1354
Cooper's Hawk                1             44            417
Northern Goshawk             0              4              4
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             93            179
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0           7403
Red-tailed Hawk              3            387            650
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 1              4             10
American Kestrel             0              4            422
Merlin                       0              8             53
Peregrine Falcon             0              1             22
Unknown Accipiter            0              3             29
Unknown Buteo                0              7             22
Unknown Falcon               0              0              4
Unknown Eagle                0              1              1
Unknown Raptor               0              2             20
Swallow-tailed Kite          0              0              1

Total:                      11           1279          12286
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end   time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7.83 hours

Official Counter:        Cyrus Moqtaderi

Observers:        Bill Stewart

Visitors:
Joe S. and Sarah F. brought up a lively group of teen naturalists for a
great time at the watch, recording several video clips and having an
all-around good time. My good friend Marcelo F. stopped in for a few hours,
his first time at the watch. I made sure to overload him with birding lore
(seemed logical, seeing as he is a non-birder). Bill S. made a welcome
visit, spending a couple hours on watch and pulling down a late day
Cooper's. Good to have some company today!


Weather:
Cloudy, cool, with a thick fog most of the day. Periods of drizzle and a
weak NE wind. Temps around 14C.

Raptor Observations:
Very little movement today, hardly a vulture in the sky, let alone much
else. The few migrant hawks were low and in the trees/just below treeline.
A very slow day, with one notable exception. The lowest Golden Eagle of the
season (and perhaps the lowest eagle of either species, period) soared past
at 11:42am. The bird was a beautiful subadult individual. Appeared to be
nearing adult plumage, as the white was fading in the wings and the tail
was filling in. Also the golden hackles seemed to be filling in with
brighter feathering. The bird circled twice over the hill, no more than
40ft up, displaying several wing postures and scanning the ground. It then
sailed SE towards the fields near Barley Mill Rd and lowered below treeline
before rising again and taking off. Certainly the most impressive Golden
Eagle sighting I've ever had. A nice treat on a slow, wet, gray day.

Non-raptor Observations:
Many Robins still passing and a flock of 2500 Canada Geese earlier in the
morning.

Predictions:
NW winds on the first clear day in a while. Sounds like a great mix for
migration! (what is it with these good Sunday flights? Do the birds know
it's my day off??)
========================================================================
Report submitted by Cyrus Moqtaderi (hawkwatch@...)
 information may be found at:
www.delawarenaturesociety.org


BIRDHAWK is sponsored by HMANA.  Info, list guidelines:
http://www.hmana.org/
List archives,subscription options:
http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdhawk.html
To contact a list owner, email to: birdhawk-request@...