This weekend’s nor’easter foiled my scheduled plans. I was supposed to go on a fishing trip with my work on Saturday and then I was going to count at Mount Peter Hawkwatch on Sunday. Both didn’t happen due to the weather. Instead, I birded the black dirt both mornings, hoping that the storm would bring in something exciting. That didn’t happen, but the birding was still pretty good. Of note, I got my first good look at an American Pipit and even had a small flock flying in the distance. I got my first Lincoln’s Sparrow of the year. I also did really well with raptors. It made me think about how lucky we are to have access to so many raptors in our area; sometimes I think I take it for granted. During my travels between the two days, I had 11 species of raptors: Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and Barred Owl.
That Barred owl is awesome! I also saw the 4 cranes last week!
Thanks Silas, the Barred Owl was a treat for sure. I love those cranes – it never gets old.
Matt