Date: 4/18/24 5:08 am From: Andrew Bechdel <andrewbechdel...> Subject: Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch - April 18th, 2024
Good Morning Bird Club,
Initially, I called off the watch yesterday due to the forecasted rain, but I ended up going anyway after conditions improved. I wasn't disappointed! Around 3pm, the cloud cover cleared and allowed for some sun. This sparked *a surge of 200 Broad-winged Hawks in 2 hours*. There were multiple flight paths with some birds staying close to and low over the ridge and others kettling far out to the S. Fortunately, my parents came up to help spot and keep track of the many migrants. As other eastern HW sites reported, *many kettles had Sharp-shinned Hawks* mixed in. My only regret is that I couldn't stay later as I think the 6pm hour probably brought another 100 BWs. Regardless, Friday's flight will likely eclipse yesterday's
See you at the Watch!
-Andrew
*Tussey Mountain Hawk WatchState College, Pennsylvania, USADaily Raptor Counts: Apr 17, 2024SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason TotalBlack Vulture000Turkey Vulture0119190Osprey23239Bald Eagle22155Northern Harrier11415Sharp-shinned Hawk17123173Cooper's Hawk21127American Goshawk000Red-shouldered Hawk0535Broad-winged Hawk223683683Red-tailed Hawk283197Rough-legged Hawk000Golden Eagle012161American Kestrel12136Merlin134Peregrine Falcon003Unknown Accipiter015Unknown Buteo002Unknown Falcon012Unknown Eagle001Unknown Raptor025Total:25111311633Observation start time:12:00:00Observation end time:16:30:00Total observation time:4.5 hoursOfficial CounterAndrew BechdelObservers:Dave Bechdel, Kathy BechdelVisitors:Kathy and Dave BechdelWeather:Overcast upon arrival then clearing a bit around 1400 with light SE wind. Wind speed: 1-5mph. Temperature: about 15 Celsius.Raptor Observations:No Golden Eagles. Initially, I called the day due to forecasted rain, but I decided to conduct the count after conditions cleared and wind shifted to the SE. Around 1400, cloud cover cleared a bit and spurred a large flight of BWs. Unfortunately, I had to leave at 16:30. I think I could've seen another 100 BWs if I had stayed. Non-migratory raptors: 1 Black Vulture, 15 Turkey Vulture, 2 Broad-winged Hawk, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Red-tailed HawkNon-raptor Observations:N/APredictions:Friday could be an excellent day with moderate SSE/S wind.*
