[Maine-birds] Fw: Bradbury Mountain State Park (08 May 2024) 1 Raptors

Bradbury Mountain State Park

Pownal, Maine, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: May 08, 2024
Species	Day's Count	Month Total	Season Total
Black Vulture	0	0	0
Turkey Vulture	0	0	628
Osprey	1	24	417
Bald Eagle	0	11	58
Northern Harrier	0	9	147
Sharp-shinned Hawk	0	89	476
Cooper's Hawk	0	8	38
American Goshawk	0	0	1
Red-shouldered Hawk	0	0	30
Broad-winged Hawk	0	156	1367
Red-tailed Hawk	0	0	50
Rough-legged Hawk	0	0	0
Golden Eagle	0	0	0
American Kestrel	0	15	309
Merlin	0	11	56
Peregrine Falcon	0	1	3
Unknown Accipiter	0	0	9
Unknown Buteo	0	0	4
Unknown Falcon	0	0	11
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	0	3	17
Total:	1	327	3621

Observation start time:	07:30:00
Observation end time:	10:00:00
Total observation time:	2.42 hours
Official Counter	Zane Baker
Observers:

Visitors:
5 visitors today.

Weather:
The day started with some sun and blue sky but was quickly covered by clouds. Temperatures were nice and mild and in the low 50's. With the cloud cover came some of the best visibility we've had all season, which was hard to believe there was room for improvement given some recent viewing conditions we have had. Winds were light today and coming from the ESE, NE and E while I was there. Upon arrival to the summit it was apparent that my time was likely going to be limited today as I could see the sky darkening to the W with rainfall knocking on the western boarder already. I got in about an hour more than I thought I would get but it was still a disappointment to close early as we approach the final day of the season. By 11:00am EDT, having stood through the start of the drizzle for a few minutes I grabbed my gear and sauntered off the mountain. Rain and drizzle continued long enough to keep me away for the rest of the day.

Raptor Observations:
I showed up a few minutes earlier in the hopes of getting some birds leading the rain. Unfortunately the skies were empty. Our local Cooper's Hawk made a few passes doing it's exaggerated deep and rigid wingbeat display, with undertail coverts puffed up.

Non-raptor Observations:
I did manage to get an okay species list before the rain with a total of 23. Certainly nothing to brag about at this time of year but considering how few birds seemed active, I was relatively pleased. I did spot one new species for the season which was a Black-and-white Warbler, working it's way along the underside of a dead tree limb. A female Pine Warbler was observed collecting nesting material by peeling strips of bark off of dead and dying shrubs. Her bill was so stuffed with material it was a wonder she could see where to fly.

Predictions:
Light winds from the NNE should be blocked to some degree by the trees and it looks like we should remain pretty dry. Temps in the mid 50's again with mostly cloudy skies. The lack of SW winds is feeling reminiscent of last season.

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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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