Bradbury Hawk Watch 2008

Bradbury Hawk Watch MAR 15 through MAY 15

The Bradbury Mountain Hawk Watch. Sponsored by Jeannette and Derek Lovitch of the Wild Bird Center of Yarmouth, the watch is open daily to visitors.

Directions: From I-295, take Freeport Exit 22 and head west off the highway. Turn left and follow the sign toward Bradbury Mountain State Park. After 4.5 miles, turn right onto Route 9 (Hallowell Road.) The park is 0.5 miles ahead on the left.

SPECIES	MAY 15	MAY TOTAL	SEASON TOTAL
Black Vulture	0	0	3
Turkey Vulture	0	0	135
Osprey	0	62	369
Bald Eagle	0	27	96
Northern Harrier	0	22	72
Sharp-shinned Hawk	4	312	828
Cooper's Hawk	0	1	45
Northern Goshawk	0	0	5
Red-shouldered Hawk	0	0	45
Broad-winged Hawk	20	507	1463
Red-Tailed Hawk	1	8	192
Rough-legged Hawk	0	1	1
Golden Eagle	0	0	0
American Kestrel	0	47	325
Merlin	1	39	91
Peregrine Falcon	1	1	4
Swallow-tailed Kite	0	1	1
Unknown Accipiter	0	2	14
Unknown Buteo	0	0	15
Unknown Falcon	0	0	0
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	0	4	8
Total	27	1035	3713

Weather:

Temps fairly comfy, except perhaps when the damp, chilly winds blew in mid-day. However, even the chilly winds kept the Black Flies down, so that was good! Nice clouds all day.

Raptor Observations:

Last counted Bird for 2008 Bradury Mountain Hawkwatch, was a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

1 more Merlin - excellent!

20 Broad-winged Hawks on the final day; including several close looks at immies.

But Raptor highlight of the day for me was a Peregrine Falcon, motoring through. We picked up this Bird while trying to age a Bald Eagle. The Eagle turned out to be an adult. Prior to the Peregrine coming into the picture, a Broad-winged Hawk dive-bombed the Eagle.

Non-raptor Observations:

Fantastic look at an adult male Blackburnian Warbler. More singing from the Hermit Thrush - awesome!