Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch: Week 9

And so ends the 2022 Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch season. The last 5 days of the count were a continuation of the pattern we had been seeing the last couple of weeks. More predominately easterly winds left us with a trickle of migrants. The exception was 5/13 when we had 99 hawks on the board with a little SW wind. But, at least the temperatures were pretty nice and the sun was shining, making for decent conditions to be up on the summit. It was a slow end to the season for sure, but we were happy to break the 4000 mark, even if we are at with below average numbers. The first chunk of immature Broad-winged Hawks were noted on 5/13, so we anticipate a late movement of non-breeders this year. The next nice day with SW winds could result in a good push of these birds. Our first Indigo Bunting and Scarlet Tanager were sighted this week, along with another pair of Sandhill Cranes.

We really wish to thank Zane Baker for his hard work and perseverance this season. We were lucky to have him back! Also, thank you to the volunteers who kept Zane company and lended eyes to the skies, especially Jim Pinfold and Dave Fensore who came in first and second in the attendance awards. There are still hawks to move with a shift in the weather this week, so we encourage folks to spend some time up at the Brad. You may just see that kite!

Week 9 Totals (current week - total to date - 2021 total)

BLACK VULTURE 0-1-2

TURKEY VULTURE 0-470-603

OSPREY 17-286-390

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE 0-0-0

MISSISSIPPI KITE 0-0-0

BALD EAGLE 2-97-127

NORTHERN HARRIER 2-84-91

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 36-670-736

COOPER’S HAWK 6-56-100

NORTHERN GOSHAWK 0-3-4

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 0–123-129

BROAD-WINGED HAWK 95-1651-1962

SWAINSON’S HAWK 0-0-0

RED-TAILED HAWK 4-140-180

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK 0-0-0

GOLDEN EAGLE 0-0-0

AMERICAN KESTREL 6-305-334

MERLIN 6-77–71

PEREGRINE FALCON 0-6-13

UNIDENTIFIED RAPTOR 9-42-75

TOTAL 183-4011-4817