HSR: Illinois Beach State Park (09 Nov 2009) 15 Raptors

[reports-4]

Illinois Beach State Park
Zion, Illinois, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 09, 2009
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Turkey Vulture               0              2            219
Osprey                       0              0             65
Bald Eagle                   0              2             25
Northern Harrier             1             18             71
Sharp-shinned Hawk           3            274           1926
Cooper's Hawk                0             29            162
Northern Goshawk             0              2              7
Red-shouldered Hawk          2             14             33
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0             39
Red-tailed Hawk              8            454           1176
Rough-legged Hawk            0             23             31
Golden Eagle                 0              1              3
American Kestrel             0              3             30
Merlin                       0              5            429
Peregrine Falcon             0              2            154
Unknown Accipiter            0              2              5
Unknown Buteo                0              9             12
Unknown Falcon               0              0              6
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               1              2              6
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              2

Total:                      15            842           4401
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end   time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours

Official Counter:        Al Kostyniak, Paul Sweet

Observers:        Bob Anderson, Cheena Wade, Paul Sweet

Visitors:
David Chase.


Weather:
Cloudy, mild, with light winds starting W, turning NW and the NE, and a
high of 64 F.

Raptor Observations:
Most of our hawks were far to the west today.

Non-raptor Observations:
24 Lapland Longspurs, 2 Sandhill Cranes, Northern Shrike.

Predictions:
Winds turn NE on Tuesday.  For the next several days or so conditions are
not favorable for any significant raptor movement.  A weak front looks to
pass through Saturday AM but winds look light and variable behind it.
Another frontal system that is starting to show up on the extended forecast
models looks good for the earlier part of next week (Monday-Wednesday).
The timing of that front could bring in some great birds, but it is way too
early to be 100% confident.
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Report submitted by Vic Berardi (VBirdman@...)


Site Description:
The Illinois Beach State Park Hawk Watch is located in the northeastern
corner of the state in Lake County, IL on the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Our hawk watch is an all volunteer effort.



Directions to site:
Take I-94 to Route 173, exit and head east to Sheridan Road (approx 8
miles).  Go north on Sheridan Road to 17th Street and then go east.  Take
the park road into the park and turn right at the sign for the Sand Prairie
Day Use Area.  The count site is located at the first pavilion on the
right.

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