[Maine-birds] Fwd: Bradbury Mountain State Park (01 Apr 2024) 64 Raptors

Bradbury Mountain State Park
Pownal, Maine, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 01, 2024
Species	Day's Count	Month Total	Season Total
Black Vulture	0	0	0
Turkey Vulture	33	33	306
Osprey	2	2	3
Bald Eagle	2	2	24
Northern Harrier	2	2	14
Sharp-shinned Hawk	13	13	31
Cooper's Hawk	2	2	14
American Goshawk	0	0	0
Red-shouldered Hawk	1	1	23
Broad-winged Hawk	0	0	0
Red-tailed Hawk	3	3	33
Rough-legged Hawk	0	0	0
Golden Eagle	0	0	0
American Kestrel	6	6	6
Merlin	0	0	6
Peregrine Falcon	0	0	1
Unknown Accipiter	0	0	0
Unknown Buteo	0	0	0
Unknown Falcon	0	0	1
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	0	0	0
Total:	64	64	462

Observation start time:	08:00:00
Observation end time:	16:00:00
Total observation time:	8 hours
Official Counter	Zane Baker
Observers:	Alex Lamreaux, Dave Fensore, Derek Lovitch, Dick Baker, Jeannette Lovitch, Margaret Reimann, Rich Fortin

Visitors:
15 visitors

Weather:
Today started off mostly overcast with a very light breeze from the S. By the end of the first hour winds started to shift to more SSE and eventually landed on SE with increasing intensity and a few strong gusts. Skies remained mostly cloudy but we were lucky enough to get some direct sun which helped keep us comfortable standing in the cool onshore wind. Air temps climbed up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Raptor Observations:
It was one of the better days we've had in a while now. Birds were on the move from the start of the count period. We ended up with a good variety of birds with nice views of Harriers Kestrels and some very close Eagles. The SW winds we hoped to have today shifted past that compass heading, which may have pushed some of the birds we might have seen inland prior to making it this far N. Overall a good day.

Non-raptor Observations:
The anticipated passerine flight in the morning never came to be. Only a few more Grackles passed by and not much else. Another three Tree Swallows were taking a chance and pushing onward. Wind kept the surrounding woods and summit quiet from bird song today. A total of 23 birds were seen or heard today.

Predictions:
I wish the forecast for the coming days was an April Fools joke but I'm afraid it is not. Tomorrow looks like it should be dry but winds from the NE are not ideal. Temps remain mild and in the low 40's. It's hard to say whether birds will fight the headwinds to get ahead of mess that's on it's way or just take cover and remain grounded.

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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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