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March Count Recap!![]()
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March was an overall cold and cloudy month, with two days cancelled due to weather; but the very beginning of the month was strong, kicking off with some lovely days reaching 50°F and solid numbers of Golden and Bald Eagles. The rest of the month seemed to discourage Bald Eagle flight, landing us at the end with lower-than-average Bald numbers; Goldens were only slightly below average. (Averages were calculated from the years 2018 and after.) ![]()
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Not all species were discouraged by the weather, however—per the trend of the last couple of years, Turkey Vulture numbers blew previous years out of the water, with this month’s total ending at 63, a whopping ~three times the previous March high total of 23 vultures in 2010! Keep those TVs coming! ![]()
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We’ve also had higher-than-average March numbers of Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Merlin. Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and American Kestrel numbers were around average, and Rough-legged Hawk was below average, though that species is highly variable year to year. Some non-raptor highlights included a local Western Meadowlark one day, and a migrating Ross’s Goose on the 30th! ![]()
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Here’s to a birdy April! 🥂![]()
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-Counter, Marie
Want to brush up on your raptor ID? Hawk Migration Association is hosting a virtual Raptor ID workshop today. Free and open to the public but registration required at the following link: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/k8TAMni0S_aABLrMRxbgnw?fbclid=IwY2xjawQwzJVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRj...
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Yesterday was a great day for migration at the West Skyline Spring Count -- 326 Bald eagles pushed through during the day. Enjoy these photos from Frank Nicoletti and the count update from Marie below.![]()
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"Superb flight, starting in force about an hour into the count, with multiple flight lines of eagles—some higher westside, some way out over the lake, and some right overhead, including one truly spectacular close Golden Eagle! As expected, birds got higher as afternoon came on, and by late afternoon lines of eagles could be picked out filing fairly high overhead (though never concerningly high). Despite the increased west/southwest winds, the lines seemed to shift more westside during the late afternoon, including a lone Sharp-shinned Hawk that spiraled up and out in the late afternoon sun. Thanks to everyone who came, pointed out birds, and enjoyed the spectacle!"![]()
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Follow along at www.trektellen.org/count/view/3604/ and see you at the count!
See the number, speed, direction, and altitude of the birds cruising through the darkness on spring and fall nights by visiting BirdCast.
