Years ago, Todd Watts started posting information on hawk migration at Greenlaw Mountain near St. Andrews. We think that it is worth following.
If you know of other hawk areas around the Bay, please let us know and we will post your information as well. If you like birds and nature, consider the Nature NB as a source of information. Some of the best birders in the area contribute and it will help you find local clubs and groups.
Enjoy
Art
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 19:34:59 -0300
ReplyDeleteFrom: Todd Watts
Subject: todays hawks
Yesterday appears to have been a really good day for hawk movement
near here. Cadillac Mt. in Maine counted 235 migrating raptors. Counts
for Cadillac Mt. and other North American sites can be found at
hawkcount.org. home of the Hawk Migration Association of North
America. Unfortunately I was too busy yesterday to get out to Greenlaw.
Today I did manage to get out. Winds were near gale force and out of
the north. Here are my totals from 9:45 to 12:00.
4 Kestrels
15 Sharp-Shinned Hawks
1 Coopers hawk
1 Bald eagle
2 unidentified raptors
2 local Turkey Vultures
2 local Bald eagles
number of observers 1
Today I brought an owl decoy up with me to be used for the rest of the
season in hopes of bringing in a few birds. One of the kestrels that
came by today took the bait and did a quick circle around the head of
the owl.
Almost all of the birds that came past today where flying low and
moving fast. I could have easily missed most of the birds that cam
past the watch.
The 2 URs were scope birds a couple kilometers out. The winds were so
strong that I couldn't keep my scope steady enough to make an ID. My
best guess was a couple of Redtails.
Many of todays Sharp-Shins were flying in pairs.
All of my observations so far have been in the morning but I intend to
get out for some late day observations too.
All are welcomed and encouraged to join me at Greenlaw.
Todd Watts
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 09:10:25 -0300
ReplyDeleteFrom: Todd Watts
Subject: directions and other info on hawk watch site at Greenlaw Mt.
Here are some directions to the watch site on Greenlaw Mt.
From Saint John head down Highway #1 toward Saint Stephen
Turn left on the #127 to Saint Andrews
Turn right on Ghost Road proceed to intersection with the #127 as it
turns around the peninsula and heads toward Saint Stephen.
Turn right on the #127 go approximately 1 kilometer
Park on right just past yellow house. I am not sure of its number but
it is very obvious. It is the first house that sits close to road.
Leave plenty of room for owner to get a tractor/trailer truck in and
out of driveway.
Before even getting out of your car you will likely notice Greenlaw
Mt. on your right. It has a tower on top and a cliff that faces the
road.
Walk down the driveway of yellow house. You will see a cedar gate
where the driveway turns into a woods road. Proceed through gate. This
road goes past some power lines, a small clearing on right and then
swings around the back side of the Mt. as it takes you to the tower on
the summit, which will occasionally be in view on the way up. There
are one or two smaller roads that leave to the right DO NOT take them.
Stay left to the summit on more heavily used gravel road.
Just before the tower on the summit take a small trail marked by some
cairns that leaves to the right. You might have to look closely to see
its start. After about one hundred meters you will be on a rock
outcrop with 180 degree views sweeping from west to east. THIS IS THE
SPOT. Below and to the left is the Saint Croix estuary, straight ahead
is Simpson Hill and to the right you will see part of Chamcook Lake.
The watch site is surrounded by a large burn providing countless snags
on which birds can perch. When I am at the watch there will be an owl
decoy sitting on one of these snags.
It's a fairly easy walk to the site. The road gets a little steep as
it first begins its ascent but isn't bad for most of the way. I will
try to create some larger cairns to better mark the start of the trail.
Birders visiting the site can call me at 506 529-4656 or email me if
they would like some company or have any difficulty in finding the
site. I would be happy to show beginner birders and birders without
experience with hawk watching the basics of identifying hawks in
flight. The more eyes the better!
At this point in time we are moving past peak flights for Falcons and
Accipiters as the bigger Buteos really start to fly. The Red-Tails
have already started and will likely peak toward the end of the month.
Red-Shouldered Hawks peak just before them. We don't get many around
here but the watch site could produce some. When the Red-Tails peak
Rough-Legs and Goshawks tend to show up at watch sites. Rarities are
possible too. Dark morph buteos, albinos as well as birds like
Swainsons Hawk and Mississippi Kite are possibles. I think Hawk Mt had
a dark morph Broad-Wing earlier this year.
Northwest winds are forecast for tomorrow afternoon and Saturday
morning. I should be there for those winds. A week front might make
for good conditions on Monday too.
Happy birding,
Todd watts
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:58:09 -0300
ReplyDeleteFrom: Todd Watts
Subject: Todays Hawks
A north wind was forecast for today. Unfortunately a light wind from
the east was blowing on Greenlaw. The following birds were sighted
from 10:30 to 12:00.
4 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Merlin
Other observations,
The skies were very quiet. No Siskins or Crossbills were seen.
Turkey Vultures were also absent.
3 or 4 local Bald Eagles were seen.
Today I placed a small feeder at the watch.
Flight forecast for the week. Poor tomorrow, good for Friday and
excellent for Saturday. Sunday morning could be good too. This could
and probably will change. Strong north winds are in Fridays forecast.
They are often followed by more gentle northwest winds producing good
numbers of birds.
Todd Watts
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:23:15 -0300
ReplyDeleteFrom: Todd Watts
Subject: Todays Hawks
Conditions at Greenlaw Mt. this afternoon. Strong winds from the north
with decreasing cloud cover. Observations were from 1:15 to 4:30.
1 Osprey
1 Harrier
12 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Coopers Hawk
5 Red-tailed hawks
1 Kestrel
2 Merlin
2 unidentified raptors
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2008 17:59:22 -0300
ReplyDeleteFrom: Todd Watts
Subject: Todays Hawks
A good flight of hawks developed early this afternoon.
At Greenlaw the NW winds were gusting to 50 kmh.
From 1:00 to 4:00 I observed the following.
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
3 Northern Goshawks (two adults)
1 Northern Harrier (adult male)
2 Peregrine Falcons
6 Red-tailed Hawks
1 unidentified buteo
Bald eagles were visible throughout the period. None appeared to be
migrating.
Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2008 15:25:49 -0400
ReplyDeleteFrom: Todd Watts
Subject: Todays Hawks
A windy day at Greenlaw.
The winds were from the NW and gusting to about 50 kmh.
From 10:00 to 2:00 the following birds were counted.
1 Northern Harrier (adult male)
3 Sharp-shinned Hawks
12 Red-tailed Hawks
1 Northern Goshawk (adult)