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From: reports@hawkcount.org
Date: May 3, 2019 at 4:30:31 PM EDT
To: freeportwildbird@yahoo.com
Subject: Bradbury Mountain State Park (03 May 2019) 5 Raptors
Reply-To: reports@hawkcount.org
Bradbury Mountain State Park
Pownal, Maine, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: May 03, 2019 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 573 Osprey 2 6 390 Bald Eagle 0 3 75 Northern Harrier 0 2 141 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 14 532 Cooper's Hawk 0 2 64 Northern Goshawk 0 0 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 97 Broad-winged Hawk 0 38 2922 Red-tailed Hawk 0 2 187 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 3 441 Merlin 0 2 63 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 4 Unknown Buteo 0 0 6 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 15 Total: 5 74 5523
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter Zane Baker Observers: Dave Fensore, Derek Lovitch
Visitors:
8 visitors today.
Weather:
The fog which I feared may keep us from opening on time was nowhere to be found. Skies were cloudy with good visibility all around. The cool onshore breeze quickly turned into a relatively cold wind from the SSE. Air temps were mild, in the low 40s. Rain was in the forecast and we watched as it approached from the WSW during the day. Just before 2pm EST the few rogue drops which had been hitting the summit were becoming more concentrated and harder to dodge. We squeaked out a few more minutes as the harder rain surrounded the mountain first, instead of rolling directly over the top of us. That gave us just enough time to prepare for a quick getaway.
Raptor Observations:
Another low count for early May. Low pressure systems to our south and quite a few showers in the forecast probably has birds holding out to our south. Immature Broadwings still haven't made their big debut, and we're hoping to see them before the end of the official count period, on the 15th. The birds we did spot today had somewhat of a melancholy air about them as they slowly plodded along, like they were just as fed up with the weather as the spectators. There was a little excitement this afternoon however. Two pairs of Broadwings continued to be seen displaying throughout the area, and it was only a matter of time before their paths crossed. Three BW's were soaring together with the fourth bird flying solo further south. Two birds started making passes at one another with the third soaring around with a very steep dihedral. The third bird suddenly jumped into the mix and locked talons with another Broadwing. The two birds, now seemingly welded together, tumbled, head over tailfeathers for a couple seconds before breaking apart. The other uninvolved bird made a stoop towards one of the BW's and then they started to spread out and go their separate ways. Trying to tell who was who throughout the altercation was challenging but witnessing the tumble was pretty awesome.
Non-raptor Observations:
Another quiet day in the woods and at the summit. In the afternoon Barred Owls were heard calling and caterwauling. Northbound migrants included: 67 Double-crested Cormorants 7 Common Loons 2 Great Blue Herons 2 American Goldfinches 2 Canada Geese.
Predictions:
We might see some sun tomorrow along with warmer temps climbing towards 60. NE winds may shift to SE by the afternoon, bringing in some cool ocean air. Maybe we'll see some birds eager to take advantage of this little break in the weather before another low pressure system approaches.
Report submitted by Jeannette Lovitch (freeportwildbird@yahoo.com)
Bradbury Mountain State Park information may be found at: www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/bradbury-mountain-hawkwatch
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
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