We finally got some Broad-winged Hawks at Mount Peter Hawkwatch! I tallied a total of 961 BWHAs today, which is more than twice as many as we’ve had all season to this point. Linda Scrima and Marty Hayes were there for the first 10 birds, but unfortunately they each had to leave, so I was mostly on my own trying to get a good count as high numbers of Broad-wings streamed by (nearly no kettling, just streaming, streaming, streaming!). I also had some variety, with seven additional species counted: Bald Eagle, Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and American Kestrel.
The Peregrine Falcon was my first bird of the day, and it is an interesting looking bird. Looking at the Crossley Raptor Guide, to me it looks very much like a Peale’s PEFA, which originates in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve put some feelers out to see if I can get it confirmed (or confuted).
WOW!!! Good for you, and thank you for doing this observing/counting.
It was pretty exciting Patty – it’s been a while since I’ve had a flight with that many migrants. Matt