It’s hard to believe that today was my last day as counter for the 2018 hawkwatch season at Mount Peter Hawkwatch. I was scheduled to count next Saturday, but I will be out of town so Rick Hansen is covering for me. The morning rain caused a 2 hour delay to the start, and when I got up on the mountain it quickly became clear that it was going to be a cold and windy day. I had most of my 38 migrating raptors in the first 2 hours, and then things slowed down after that. Raptor highlights included 2 migrating Bald Eagles, one adult and one immature, as well as a nice adult Red-shouldered Hawk. The real highlight of the day, however, came when Bobby Linguanti and some of his family stopped up for a visit. Today is a year since Carol (Bobby’s wife, hawk counter extraordinaire, and all around awesome person) passed away, and they were making the rounds to some of Carol’s favorite spots. It was a sweet and sad visit. As usual, I’ve included my Hawkcount.org report at the bottom of this post.
PELAGIC TEASER: Tomorrow I’m heading out on an 18 hour pelagic trip with See Life Paulagics, out of Brooklyn, NY. Hopefully it will be a good one, our target species include: Red Phalarope, Manx, Cory’s and Great Shearwaters, Northern Fulmar, Pomarine Jaeger, and the holy grail for this time of year Great Skua.
Have fun tomorrow, Matt and be safe!
Thanks Karen, I’ll try! Matt
Matt, I’m learning a lot from your postings and greatly enjoying the photographs. I’m not a birder so I look up and read on unfamiliar birds (just about all!). Have fun and be safe!
I’m so glad to hear you are getting so much from the blog, Norma. That makes my day. Matt
You must have been blown about quite a bit in that wind! Wish that Coop would have been a NOGA for you. Hope you have a great time on the Pelagic Trip, Matt.
I wish it would have been too, Kathy! The pelagic was a blast, I’ll post about it in the next day or so. Matt