The 2013 season at the Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch came to a quiet end today, with no raptors recorded on light to moderate westerly winds. This marked the 25th consecutive year of counting at the site.
The season began on August 20, and in between, 674 hours of coverage were put in on 111 days by our team of dedicated counters, including Andy Cooper, Larry Dake, Fred Fries, Becky Gretton, Steve Hall, Andrea Lodovice, Randy Lynch, Andy Mason and Tom Salo. The total count of 4859 raptors is below the 12 year average of 5335, since full time counting began at the site. This number would have been lower if not for a good count of 1993 Broad-winged Hawks, 40% above the 12 year average. Broad-wings provided two excellent days at the lookout. On Sept. 14, Larry Dake tallied 523; this was followed on Sept. 17 by 916 broad-wings counted by Becky Gretton-breaking the previous high daily count of 900 for the species at Franklin Mt. The day's total raptor count of 962 birds fell just short of the record of 975 set in Oct., 1990. The only other positive species was Bald Eagle at 157 birds for the season, just slightly above average. Notably low counts included Osprey, at 49 the lowest count in 17 years; Northern Harrier, 33 birds-down 53% from average; and Red-tailed Hawk, down 23% with 1427 counted. Golden Eagles came in at a low 129 birds, 29% below average. However, these Franklin Mt. favorites did provide four double-digit days-Nov. 3-16 birds; Nov. 12-11; Nov. 19-15; and an excellent late season flight of 18 on Dec. 7. Another notable sighting was the second Black Vulture ever at Franklin Mt., spotted on Sept. 16 by Randy Lynch. Thanks to all who helped out this season, including sharp-eyed spotters and all our visitors. Aug. 2014 is not that far away! Andrew Mason 1039 Peck St. Jefferson, NY 12093 (607) 652-2162 andyma...@earthling.net -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
