Monday, September 9, 2013

Sharpies and Kestrels - Hawk Ridge Update

By Cory Ritter

While Bald Eagles and Ospreys have been coming though in reliably good numbers as of late, Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels just kicked into gear on Friday, September 7th. As it turns out, it was our best day of the season for total raptors (554), and our biggest day for Bald Eagles (98), Sharp-shinned Hawks (375), American Kestrels (31), Merlins (6), and Peregrine Falcons (3).

The raptors are picking up, and diversity is high (12 raptor species on the 7th). It won't be long before the broadwings make their big push!
Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 6 September 2013
Osprey
Osprey; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 3 September 2013
Immature Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 4 September 2013
Broad-winged Hawk Upperside
Broad-winged Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 4 September 2013
Broad-winged Hawk Underside
Broad-winged Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 4 September 2013
Northern Harrier with Cedar Waxwings
Northern Harrier and Cedar Waxwings; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 5 September 2013
Turkey Vulture in Flight
Turkey Vulture; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 6 September 2013
American White Pelican Flock
American White Pelicans; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 3 September 2013
American Crow with White Wing Patches
American Crow with white wing patches; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 5 September 2013
Cedar Waxwing Perched on Branch
Cedar Waxwing; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 5 September 2013
Non-breeding Bobolink
Bobolink; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 7 September 2013

2 comments:

  1. Wow - all awesome shots! Love that first SSHA and white-ish crow.

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  2. Thanks, Alex. Yeah, Frank originally saw the crow with white wing-patches from his blind. Since it was heading north, he radioed us and we were able get a decent look at it.

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