Date: 4/8/24 7:47 am From: Blizard, David A <dab22...> Subject: Re: Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch - April 7th, 2024
Changing gears: F’bk site Birds of Prey has a multi pic episode of a great blue heron trying to steal a fish from an osprey..guess who won? Worth exploring.
Sent from my iPad
On Apr 7, 2024, at 9:08 PM, Andrew Bechdel <andrewbechdel...> wrote:
Good Evening Bird Club,
Today was a beach day, and I spent most of it counting and relaxing on my rock throne. We had another steady flight with 10 Sharpies, 4 Osprey, 2 Kestrels, and 2 Harriers (both were beautiful 'Gray Ghosts'). Our local Cooper's Hawks were especially active, performing flight displays off and on for a couple of hours. The Cooper's flight display is very reminiscent of the slow, deep, moth-like wing beats exhibited by Short-eared Owls. It was great to get a prolonged look at a bird most of us, except Deb Rittelmann, see only briefly in flight.
A special thanks to PA Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator Amber Wiewel and her family for visiting the watch.
Tomorrow could be a good flight if the S wind strengthens. The rest of the upcoming week also looks promising for Broad-winged flights. I'm not sure how the eclipse will affect the flight, but I will most definitely be watching the birds while everyone else is watching the sun.
See you at the Watch!
-Andrew
Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch
State College, Pennsylvania, USA
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter Andrew Bechdel
Observers:
Visitors:
Amber Wiewel and her family
Weather:
Full sun with light-moderate N wind all day. Wind speeds peaked around noon and tapered toward the end of the day. Wind Speed: 4-14mph. Temperature: 5-15 Celsius
Raptor Observations:
No Golden Eagles Non-migratory Raptors: 6 Turkey Vulture, 2 Cooper's Hawks, 2 Bald Eagle, 2 Red-tailed Hawk
