HAWKCOUNT CHARTS FOR FALL THIS FAR

Catching up on the numbers as we near the end of October.  So I pulled up our Hawk-count.org
 charts for a simple view.  I constantly tell hawk-watchers to visit their website because it is possible to view so many of the hawk-watch sites with updated data easily. Pick a site and click on the month you most want to view. The last line on the chart is a season update, and active total of everything seen.  I am watching the temps in my greenhouse drop pretty fast as the sun goes down, which is a strong reminder that the temps will trigger all hawks further north which remain to make their migration move if they haven't already. 

Remember some hawks fly for thousands of miles and others of the raptors, like Red-tails for instance, merely move south late in the season sometimes. They may be seen in our area wintering, and appear to be the same once you saw all summer.  But, it is entirely possible that it's a hawk from further north and your summer hawk will return in spring, when the winter hawk moves back north.  At this time of year, some hawks have not made their shift, and some migrants have not reached the south yet either.  So November is also a raptor push before the winter.  Check out the chart on our Species Key page, found on the drop-down on your phone, and sidebars on the PC. Scroll down to the  picture of the Red-tail and underneath find the chart, which indicates the time when specific hawks traditionally move through in greatest numbers. It's the big boys that are moving in numbers during the November push: Northern Harriers, Red-tails, and Red-shouldered Hawks steal the scene when it gets colder. The greatest push of Vultures also finds huge numbers of them gathered or swirling in a kettle. Bald Eagles can be seen perhaps coming and going.  Because those returning in late November and early December will be getting busy with nesting season, if of age. So if you've ever struggled with the high in the sky pepper flakes of BW season, this upcoming Hawk-watching month hosts the BIG BOYS.  The ones whose general attitude is not to fly high, but rather fly lower in the cooler skies, and usually provide nice long views. So they can be studied a little longer too.

I'm posting copies of our charts from Hawkcount, and also catching up the sidebar running counts, before the new month gets underway.  Not sure if Bill or other watchers will have any time to add to our counts, yet. But we'll be watching for the emails so we can add these Big Guys to the records. 

Here's October's chart so far, and notice the bottom line also gives the season totals:

Please note that when I post both charts at this time, the fall total numbers remain the same. If I had gotten the copy for September at the end of September, which I usually  try to do the chart would show the actual totals for September. But since I am doing it now, the totals across the bottom are actually for the whole season, EXCEPT the number of hours column.  It is accurate for September.  Just for clarification...



I also am posting a few examples from this year's counts, some compared to last year,  from other sites:
Compare Cape May's September stats 2018 to this year's numbers:

Next  take a look at this year's counts at Linville, Grandfather Mtn. NC:



(Not their newest data, I uploaded this chart earlier in the month)

and lastly, Harvey's Knob:

I highly recommend you visit the Corpus Christi TX records and look through the records for previous years as well.  It's eye opening.  Also ck out some Western or Midwestern flyways as well.

Enjoy a little geeking, if you like hawks like we do.

and please remember, November is the time to see the BIG GUYS if you
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

C