Westskyline Hawk Count has been up and running since 1 March. April
As has been the case since the 4th of April, the weather has not improved although small flight have been counted. The only exception to this are the flights counted on the 20th and 21st. Both days saw an impressive early push of adult Broad-wings and nice flights of sharp-shins. The 20th saw the following: Turkey Vulture-80, Osprey-6, Bald Eagle-11, Sharp-shinned Hawk-115, Broad-winged Hawk-439, Red-tailed Hawk-59, Rough-legged Hawk-15, Golden Eagle-1, and American Kestrel-2. Total=728 The 21st saw the following: Turkey Vulture-93, Osprey-12, Bald Eagle-3, Northern Harrier-2, Sharp-shinned Hawk-250, Cooper's Hawk-1, Broad-winged Hawk-987, Red-tailed Hawk-110, Rough-legged Hawk-19, Golden Eagle-2, and American Kestrel-2, Merlin-1. Total=1,482 Other birds sighting: 71 Common Loons were counted on the 21st, along with 23 White Pelicans. On the 20th 18 White Pelicans and 1 Sandhill Crane. On the 23rd 58 White Pelicans. The count was visited by many this past week. Many locals, and hawkwatchers/birdwatchers from outside the area this week including Eric Delbecq from Chicago (3 days) and Russ Edmonds who helped me conduct the count. Also would like to thank Dave Carman and Bruce Pomeroy (locals) who were out whenever possible. Below you can view today and this season's count which is up to date as of 25 April. You may also view the count on a daily basis at "HAWKCOUNT. ORG" and look for West Skyline Hawk Count. I would like to thank the MOU committee's and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory for funding the count this year. West Skyline Hawk Count Minnesota, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 546 549 Osprey 0 51 51 Bald Eagle 0 718 2764 Northern Harrier 0 27 28 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 983 1002 Cooper's Hawk 0 16 20 Northern Goshawk 0 3 9 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 4 Broad-winged Hawk 0 1776 1776 Red-tailed Hawk 0 2328 2405 Rough-legged Hawk 0 114 120 Golden Eagle 0 9 46 American Kestrel 0 33 33 Merlin 0 11 11 Peregrine Falcon 1 1 1 Unknown 0 0 0 Total: 2 6619 8819 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by: Frank Nicoletti Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
