Beaver Mines, May 2

Saturday, May 02 Beaver Mines [Day 68] 0630-2045 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0615 was 2C, the high at 1700 was 18.5C and it was 12.5C at 2045. Winds were moderate SSW-W all day, 12-20 km/h to 0915, then 20 gusting to 35 km/h to 1700 and finally 10-20 km/h for the rest of the day. It was mainly cloudless with periods of up to 20% altocumulus to 1430 after which it was 60-100% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus for the rest of the day. It was a pleasant day with generally good viewing conditions but only 13 migrant raptors of 6 species were seen between 1044 and 1723 that comprised 2 adult Turkey Vultures, 4 Bald Eagles (2a, 1sa1, 1j), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1u Cooper’s Hawk, 2 juvenile light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 3 Golden Eagles (1sa, 2j). Non-migrants were 7 Bald Eagles (6a, 1j) that glided high to the SE between 1157 and 1245, a number that is very similar to the 6 Bald Eagles (5a, 1j) that glided high to the N between 1607 and 1856 yesterday. Five adult resident Red-tailed Hawks were conspicuous between 0923 and 1909 and, unlike yesterday, there was much interaction between up to 4 birds that involved displays and some spectacular vertical stoops from a considerable height to a lower-flying bird. Other birds were 9 Canada Geese, 4 Mallards, 11 Rock Pigeons, 2 Mourning Doves, 1 male Rufous Hummingbird, 1 male Calliope Hummingbird that was the first for the season, 3 Sandhill Cranes, 6 Wilson’s Snipe, 1 Red-naped Sapsucker, 2 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Steller’s Jay, 2 Blue Jays, 2 American Crows, 12 Common Ravens, 16 Tree Swallows, 3 Black-capped Chickadees, 4 Mountain Chickadees, 8 American Robins, 12 European Starlings, 20 Evening Grosbeaks, 3 Purple Finches (1 subadult male, 2 females), 6  Cassin’s Finches (3 male and 3 female), 14 male Red-winged Blackbirds and 5 Common Grackles (3 male, 2 female).

14.5 hours (863.2) TUVU 2 (16), BAEA 4 (388), SSHA 1 (138), COHA 1 (29), RTHA 2 (278), GOEA 3 (1181) TOTAL 13 (2341)

We plan to conclude the spring 2020 Beaver Mines count tomorrow.