Spring Migration Wrap-Up

Each year the Spring Migration Hawk Watch officially runs from April 1 through May 15. Overall, the count was a little below the 10-year average of 983 raptors.

The 2019 spring count ended on a high note with three bald eagles, a broad-winged hawk and an unidentified raptor seen heading north on May 15th.  The spring's count peaked on April 19th with 176 birds counted which included 7 osprey, 2 harriers, 16 sharp-shinned hawks, and a season high 132 broad-winged hawks.  

This year's weather was not nearly as wet as last year, but we still had above average precipitation. Most species were at or below the 10-year average, with turkey vultures, osprey, and red-tailed hawks well below average.  Broad-winged hawks were slightly above average, but the highlights of the spring were above the falcon species, American kestrels, merlins and peregrine falcons all had above average counts.