Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch: Week 3

Much of this week was similar to last week with more strong, gusty NW winds which suppressed migrant numbers. A shift to more easterly winds on 4/3 produced a decent flight, surprisingly. Birds were probably just ready to move. 79 hawks on that day is our new high day count for the season. Otherwise, there was not a whole lot going on. The first Ospreys of the spring were counted, and quite a few Turkey Vultures were moving. 3 Sandhill Cranes on were seen on 4/3. First-of-years included Belted Kingfisher and Horned Lark.

Week 3 Totals (current week - total to date - 2021 total)

BLACK VULTURE 0-0-2

TURKEY VULTURE 102-281-603

OSPREY 12-12-390

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE 0-0-0

MISSISSIPPI KITE 0-0-0

BALD EAGLE 4-64-127

NORTHERN HARRIER 17-36-91

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 10-40-736

COOPER’S HAWK 3-20-100

NORTHERN GOSHAWK 0-2-4

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 6–100-129

BROAD-WINGED HAWK 0-0-1962

SWAINSON’S HAWK 0-0-0

RED-TAILED HAWK 9-109-180

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK 0-0-0

GOLDEN EAGLE 0-0-0

AMERICAN KESTREL 5-15-334

MERLIN 2-6–71

PEREGRINE FALCON 0-3-13

UNIDENTIFIED RAPTOR 1-4-75

TOTAL 171-688-4817