Red-Tailed Hawks on the Move

Bill says he counted 40 Vultures passing over the pole when he took this pic.
And if you zoom in on this picture you might see at least 3 images of vultures streaming past.
But this is a good representation of Hawkwatching.  To the naked eye, it seems like just blue skies and clouds.
With Binoculars, it's a different story!

Soddy Mountain hawk totals
Sun., Nov. 18, 2018

Coverage: 1115-1600 = 5.75 hr.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: Clouds 85% @ 1115, 70% @ 1200, 50% for rest of day. Wind calm @ 1115, S 1-2 @1200, SW 2-5 1400-1600. Temperature 45 - 61F. Barometric pressure 30.30 falling gradually to 30.19. Visibility 20K @ 1115  (very hazy over valley), gradually increasing to 30K. Humidity 54-51%.

Raptors by hour:

1100: SS 1

1200: 0

1300: TV 65, RT 4

1400: TV 109, RT 2

1500: TV 10, RT 4

Raptor totals:

11/18/18 

Turkey Vulture 184

Sharp-shinned 1

Red-tailed 10
_________________

Total raptors: 195

Cloud cover early, finally cleared enough for thermals to form after 1300. Sharpie was first hawk of the day. Turkey Vultures streamed through in small groups most of the afternoon, but a close kettle of 44 over the north ridge at 1456 was a nice surprise. Red-tailed Hawks are starting to show up, and I expect their numbers to increase in the coming days.

Makes me wonder what came by yesterday when sun was out all day?

Other sightings: While the early part of the day was hawk-poor, other migrants that don't rely on thermals put on a show. Between 1115 and 1200, I counted 358 American Robins (including flocks of 85, 77 and 78) and 303 Cedar Waxwings! However, my favorite migrant was one Common Loon - a rare sighting at Soddy Mountain.

I will man the lookout every day the coming week, weather permitting. Can't wait to see what else shows up!

Butterflies: 4-5 Question Marks - a butterfly that overwinters as an adult.

Other insects: It warmed up enough for ladybugs to fly, although in much less numbers than the last time I was there.

Reporting: William G. Haley, Jr.

 

 

Good November numbers. Exciting that a few days of sun means more to come.' Only 5 more birds and Bill's numbers top 4,500 Hawks counted for this fall season.  He obviously stands at 4,445, if my prelim numbers verify. Way to GO!
 

 Just crossed the 91,000 Hawks mark for all seasons....91,062 All Season Total!
 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!