[Maine-birds] Fw: Bradbury Mountain State Park (28 Apr 2022) 16 Raptors

Bradbury Mountain State Park
Pownal, Maine, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 28, 2022
Species	Day's Count	Month Total	Season Total
Black Vulture	0	1	1
Turkey Vulture	0	285	470
Osprey	2	224	225
Bald Eagle	0	20	80
Northern Harrier	0	58	73
Sharp-shinned Hawk	3	439	469
Cooper's Hawk	0	26	43
Northern Goshawk	0	1	3
Red-shouldered Hawk	0	26	120
Broad-winged Hawk	11	1201	1201
Red-tailed Hawk	0	31	132
Rough-legged Hawk	0	0	0
Golden Eagle	0	0	0
American Kestrel	0	230	240
Merlin	0	28	32
Peregrine Falcon	0	0	3
Unknown Accipiter	0	5	6
Unknown Buteo	0	4	5
Unknown Falcon	0	3	3
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	0	12	13
Total:	16	2594	3119

Observation start time:	08:00:00
Observation end time:	16:00:00
Total observation time:	8 hours
Official Counter	Zane Baker
Observers:

Visitors:
10 visitors today

Weather:
The mountain was covered by a long stretch of clouds which continued to extend from the NW to SE, like a roll of tape being unwound. I could see blue sky to the east and west but the summit remained in the shade for the first half of the day. The afternoon was pretty sunny with some scattered clouds. Temperatures fluctuated quite a bit, starting out at 49 degrees Fahrenheit dropping to 41 and climbing back to 49. Wind was the major weather component today. Very strong and gusty winds ripped over the mountain from the NNW all day. Late in the day, thinking I was safe in the home stretch, a rogue gust heaved my pack and chucked my clipboard a solid ten feet. It was a yard sale of papers pens and pencils strewn around the summit and trees. Thankfully the scope remained standing and I believe I retrieved any potential detritus.

Raptor Observations:
Birds were in the air today but mostly local activity and what I can only assume was some migrants out foraging briefly. Northbound birds were very low today, mostly hugging treetops and following the underdeveloped ridgeline of Little Bradbury.

Non-raptor Observations:
The summit was quiet, or I just couldn't hear over the wind through the pines. About 68 Cormorants braved the elements and pushed onward. The only other birds moving were 1 Barn Swallow and 1 late day Goldfinch.

Predictions:
Rinse and repeat I'm afraid. Currently, tomorrow looks like it's shaping up similarly to today. High gusty winds from the NW and maybe a mix of sun and clouds. Temps may be a little warmer, in the low 50's.

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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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