Mt. Peter Hawkwatch 9/19/15

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~I didn’t have many photo ops today on the mountain, but we did have an early Sharp-shinned Hawk which flew over pretty close to the platform.~

In the three days prior to today, Mt. Peter Hawkwatch had over 6,400 migrating hawks! Pretty amazing right? Of course, I was working and or busy and could not make it out for any of the three days. But, I was on as counter today… how many kettles of Broad-winged Hawks would I have? How many total migrating hawks would I count? How many thousands? Um… how about 34 migrating hawks? They can’t all be winners. It was actually a nice day up on the mountain with great company, the only thing lacking was the birds. Tomorrow is another day! Here is my report:

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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter Matt Zeitler
Observers: Ajit I. Antony, Bill Connolly, Denise Farrell, Liza Antony, Tom Millard

Visitors:
Don Leak, Bob Montgomery, and Silvia Kleff.

Weather:
Mostly sunny and warm with some clounds. Light wind coming from the south/southwest. Temperatures ranged from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Raptor Observations:
Migrating Raptors: One unknown and 2 male American Kestrels. Non-migrating Raptors: At 1:20 two adult Bald Eagles were observed flying low over the valley. They eventually headed north.

Non-raptor Observations:
Cedar Waxwing (23), Blue Jay (40+), Red-bellied Woodpecker (2), Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee (3), Chimney Swift (3), Tree Swallow, American Goldfinch (18), Eastern Phoebe, Carolina Wren, Rock Pigeon (6), Ring-billed Gull (2), and Monarch butterfly (22)

 

On a more positive note, on my way home I passed through the black dirt and finally located (3) American Golden-Plovers! The birds were distant, so no good pics, but I was happy to get them for Orange County.

~A distant look at one of the three American Golden-Plovers I had in the black dirt tonight, 9/19/15.~
~A distant, documentary look at one of the three American Golden-Plovers I had in the black dirt tonight, 9/19/15.~
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~This was actually taken earlier this week – Northern Harrier just before sunset in the black dirt, 9/17/15.~

4 thoughts on “Mt. Peter Hawkwatch 9/19/15”

  1. Matt,
    I feel your pain. Traditionally, when Mt. Peter does well, Summitville does not. I’ve watched the fantastic totals from the recent days at Mt. Peter while little has passed Summitville. I’m hoping for a good day tomorrow, but one never knows. We’ll just keep at it. Good luck! John

  2. I know how you feel Matt.

    It seems I go to the Bash, see some birds for a few days,go back to work and John and Scotty have these big major fallouts when I’m at work!!!! Retirement looks better every day!!

    I’m glad you saw the Plovers. I was there yesterday around 1230 and not a bird in sight.

    Wilma

    1. I’ll bet retirement does look better every day! I can’t even think about it, it’s too far away. Matt

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