The final day of September nudged Hawk Ridge over 40,000 raptors for the season. Broad-winged Hawks put in a fair showing (26,781), but a far cry from some years. In fact, although more than last year, this is the 5th lowest count in the past two decades. The best single day tally for this species was 9/14 (6933). Red-tailed Hawks (283) have been scarce too, during a time that should see a significant number of juveniles (the third lowest September count since 1990). It was also a terribly slow start to Northern Goshawk migration, with September 30th saving face, when 9 passed (of 16 for the season), sidestepping the worst September count ever for this species (8). On the other hand, September sported an amazing flight of Bald Eagles (1300), a full 512 more eagles than the next best September! And Northern Harriers (366) and American Kestrels (1393) have had a resurgent year at the ridge. 2010 had the best September flight of kestrels in the past 5 years and the third best harrier flight in the past 10. Two Swainson's Hawks (9/12, 9/19) made appearances.
The non-raptor flights are in full swing right now. The past week has averaged 7803 non-raptors a day, including a blistering flight of 11,671 birds on 9/30. To date, we've accumulated 189,686 non-raptors, with more to come. It has been a great fall for American White Pelicans (401), the best figure from the past four years, although migration is all but over for this species (only seen once in the past 10 days). Thirteen Black-backed Woodpeckers have already been recorded, with 4 on 9/18 (peak passage for this species seems to be mid-October). A nice sum of 334 Northern Flickers was amassed, with our best flight on 9/20 (73). Blue Jays have put in a stellar fall along the North Shore, with 63,621 totaled to-date, including some huge single-day affairs (7612 (9/14) and 6485 (9/16)). An interesting flight of 20 White-breasted Nuthatches occurred on the 30th, especially neat considering this species uncommon status in the northeast. The late season thrushes have just started picking up, with Eastern Bluebirds showing in small numbers and 11,000+ American Robins in the past six days. Neotropical warblers made one last hoorah, with a flight of 2741 warblers on 9/12, including 199 American Redstarts! The next time warblers made a quadruple-digit showing (9/18), Yellow-rumped Warblers were dominating the mix. American Pipits (2156) and Lapland Longpurs (1090) have both had great falls, including some nifty one-day passages (see below). Red-winged Blackbirds are practically nonexistent these days, with Rusty Blackbirds now in full-force (8254 in the past six days). Finch flights have changed noticeably in the past week. Prior, it was a one-man show, with only American Goldfinches moving (season total = 4746). However, over 500 Pine Siskins have flown in the past week and after being all-but-absent this season, 493 Purple Finches suddenly decided to move on 9/30. Evening Grosbeaks have now been present on three consecutive days, but in very small numbers. Some of the more notable single-day passages are detailed below: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 58 (9/18) American Goldfinch - 877 (9/18) Lapland Longspur - 714 (9/24) Cackling Goose - 233 (9/24) Sandhill Crane - 161 (9/25) Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4198 (9/26) Not all identified to species, but the vast majority YRWA American Pipit - 1056 (9/27) American Robin - 3192 (9/30) Rusty Blackbird - 5100 (9/30) Daily count totals of raptor and non-raptors can be viewed at www.hawkcount.org, and further information about visiting Hawk Ridge can be found at www.hawkridge.org. Karl Bardon and Cameron Rutt Hawk Ridge counters ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
