[Maine-birds] HSR: Bradbury Mountain State Park (26 Mar 2014) Raptors

Bradbury Mountain State Park
Pownal, Maine, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 26, 2014
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total  Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture              0            186            186
Osprey                      0              0              0
Bald Eagle                  0            39            39
Northern Harrier            0              6              6
Sharp-shinned Hawk          0            11            11
Cooper's Hawk                0            16            16
Northern Goshawk            0              2              2
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            88            88
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0              0
Red-tailed Hawk              0            157            157
Rough-legged Hawk            0              1              1
Golden Eagle                0              0              0
American Kestrel            0              0              0
Merlin                      0              2              2
Peregrine Falcon            0              0              0
Unknown Accipiter            0              1              1
Unknown Buteo                0              4              4
Unknown Falcon              0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor              0              6              6

Total:                      0            519            519
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end  time: 11:30:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours

Official Counter:        Derek Lovitch

Observers:       

Visitors:
The only group that ventured to the summit today wisely avoided leaving the
treeline.


Weather:
With a very strong Nor'Easter developing offshore, winds increased rapidly.
Although the snow remained offshore of our area, increasing northerly
winds rapidly rose into Wind Advisory criteria, soon bringing the count to
an end - at least saving our Leica sponsored scope for another day.
Sustained winds were over 30mph, with gusts in excess of 40mph.

Raptor Observations:
An adult Bald Eagle perched at the summit was a surprise greeting upon my
arrival this morning.

The only "migrant" was a southbound Red-shouldered Hawk, but otherwise, we
were skunked for the first time this season. Local Turkey Vultures took
advantage of the lift generated by flying into the wind, Red-tailed Hawks
kited effortlessly, and Bald Eagles plied the Royal River.

Non-raptor Observations:
Although only 14 species were recorded from the summit- including three
southbound Common Mergansers, there was actually a fair amount of bird
activity.  Herring and Ring-billed Gulls were unusually common, heading
inland to seek shelter from the storm.  Sifting through them yielded a 1st
or 2nd Cycle ICELAND GULL - the first record for the project, and the state
park,

Predictions:
It can only be better than today!  Moderately-strong NW to W winds will
continue, but slowly diminish over the course of the day, and sun should
return in full force. We would expect at least some birds to take advantage
of the less-terrible conditions to move, but the following days look even
better.
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Report submitted by Jeannette Lovitch (freeportwildbird@yahoo.com)
Bradbury Mountain State Park information may be found at:
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/hawkwatch.asp