Chirps and Cheeps

The weather report looked good for the hawk watch this past Thursday, so five of us headed up to Mexico, New York to the Derby Hill Hawk Watch. The long ride proved worth every moment as migrants were already in full movement by the time we arrived. The day started out cool but sunny - with lots of blackbirds streaming by. The mutitude of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles were accompanied by a few Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Meadowlarks, and quite a few Tree Swallows. The phoebes and swallows were the first of year sightings for me.

Mixed in with thousands of Turkey Vultures, we saw many other raptors, including Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Rough-legged (with one dark morph), one Golden Eagle, a few immature Bald Eagles, a first of year Osprey, and many Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks. It was a great day to be out as the sun stayed out and the temps rose to almost 60 degrees.  There was quite a crowd gathered and it was nice catching up with old friends and meeting some new ones.

Thanks once again to Dave for a GREAT flight day that his predictions were right on for again!