[Maine-birds] Fwd: Bradbury Mountain State Park (20 Mar 2024) 23 Raptors

Bradbury Mountain State Park
Pownal, Maine, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 20, 2024
Species	Day's Count	Month Total	Season Total
Black Vulture	0	0	0
Turkey Vulture	10	188	188
Osprey	0	0	0
Bald Eagle	1	16	16
Northern Harrier	1	8	8
Sharp-shinned Hawk	4	14	14
Cooper's Hawk	0	11	11
American Goshawk	0	0	0
Red-shouldered Hawk	1	19	19
Broad-winged Hawk	0	0	0
Red-tailed Hawk	5	26	26
Rough-legged Hawk	0	0	0
Golden Eagle	0	0	0
American Kestrel	0	0	0
Merlin	1	2	2
Peregrine Falcon	0	1	1
Unknown Accipiter	0	0	0
Unknown Buteo	0	0	0
Unknown Falcon	0	1	1
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	0	0	0
Total:	23	286	286

Observation start time:	08:00:00
Observation end time:	16:00:00
Total observation time:	8 hours
Official Counter	Zane Baker
Observers:	Biz Houghton, Dave Fensore, Dick Baker

Visitors:
13 visitors

Weather:
Skies were overcast for the majority of the day, with the sun just barely hidden. By late afternoon, clouds broke apart for an hour or so of blue sky. Winds started out from the S and SW shifting to SSE for the afternoon hours. A few showers passed by later in the day which were just enough to be a little soaking. Visibility was very good until the rain came.

Raptor Observations:
I whish the afternoon sun had coincided with the morning SW winds for the combo of thermals and tailwinds, which may have been more enticing to birds. It wasn't a bad day but a little more quiet than I had hoped. Local birds became active after noon. A Raven seemed to be toying with an immature Eagle and also three 'tails. Once the showers started and the winds shifted the flights shut down. The afternoon sun eventually brought the locals back out and a passing Merlin to finish the day.

Non-raptor Observations:
The surrounding area was quiet today except for what may be a young Raven which called for the whole day somewhere in the park to the SW. Only a dozen Geese a handful of Siskins and Goldfinches and one Killdeer moved N.

Predictions:
Tomorrow should be much brighter but we are likely to be contending with strong WNW winds. Temps will be cooler and in the high 30's. I don't suspect there will be a lot of action given it's still March with strong sustained winds.

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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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