Derby Hill Bird Observatory
Mexico, New York, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2025
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 1 3
Turkey Vulture 962 10774 25951
Osprey 11 66 99
Bald Eagle 20 81 252
Northern Harrier 45 201 394
Sharp-shinned Hawk 181 577 1010
Cooper's Hawk 4 51 281
American Goshawk 0 1 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 9 46 764
Broad-winged Hawk 7 9 9
Red-tailed Hawk 108 618 1733
Rough-legged Hawk 1 6 55
Golden Eagle 7 14 64
American Kestrel 36 94 204
Merlin 4 16 32
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 6
Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Total: 1395 12557 30860
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 18:00:00
Total observation time: 11 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Alan Bloom, Andy Saunders, Bill Purcell, Dave Wheeler,
Hailey Clancy, Jay Chapman, Judy Thurber, Matt Brown,
Pat Chapman, Pete Davidson, Ron Burdick Jr.
Visitors:
40
Weather:
Overcast with moderate southeasterly winds. A brighter period in the midday
with some sun. Wind occasionally shifting more southwesterly. A period of
darker clouds in the mid-afternoon then some clearing again late. Cool in
the morning but becoming quite warm.
Raptor Observations:
Slow the first few hours then developing into a steady flight with the peak
during the brighter period in the midday. Many sharpies and falcons were
low and close but at times the overall flight became quite high and
sometimes out over the lake.
A steady Turkey Vulture flight with nearly a thousand for the day. The best
Bald Eagle flight in a while with 20. A great Northern Harrier flight with
45 total including a steady stream in the last few hours. A steady sharpie
flight with 181, but only 4 Coops. A four Buteo day with triple digit
red-tails, single digit broad-wings and red-shoulders, and a single
light-morph rough-leg. Seven Golden Eagles were a big highlight with the
first five coming through in a short period. A good falcon flight with 36
kestrels and 4 merlins.
Derby Hill 2025 Daily Summary Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8baxseGlb44fA7Uio0ifcrbLjT2-GE7
Non-raptor Observations:
Sandhill Crane, 2 Killdeer, 2 Caspian Terns, 14 Common Loons, 50
Double-crested Cormorants, 5 Great Blue Herons, 70 Northern Flickers, 5
Eastern Phoebes, 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows, 3 Barn Swallows, 8
Purple Finches, 2 Pine Siskins, Fox Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, 2 Eastern
Meadowlarks.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S225700111
New species for season: Northern Rough-winged Swallow.
Predictions:
TOMORROW: Cloudy with moderate southwest winds shifting to strong west
winds by the afternoon. The morning could be decent when we have the
southerly component to the wind, but probably less activity afterwards
other than Turkey Vultures. The count will probably start at the north
lookout then switch to the south lookout when the winds change. Could also
be a decent morning songbird flight.
WEDNESDAY: Windy with on and off snow showers in the morning. High 39F.
Winds W at 20-30mph. Expect light to moderate migration. Probably south
lookout.
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. High near 45F. Winds WNW at 20-30mph. South
Lookout. Expect moderate migration.
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Report submitted by David Brown ([email protected] )
Derby Hill Bird Observatory information may be found at:
http://onondagaaudubon.com/derby-hill-bird-observatory/
More site information at hawkcount.org:
https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=358
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