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Posted by Alex Harper on 21:09:51 10/02/14
Hey all,
The Florida Keys Hawkwatch is one of the conservation projects of Tropical Audubon Society. Located at Curry Hammock State Park, we are counting from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm every day of September and October. We are seeing large numbers of a variety of raptor species, especially Osprey, Broad-winged and Cooper's Hawks, and Peregrine Falcons.
Here are are our numbers for the season. On the first row is our count for today (October 2), while the second number is our season total (which began September 2). For example, 229 Ospreys were seen today, while we've had 2949 for the season.
Turkey Vulture 11, 192
Osprey 229, 2949
Bald Eagle 2, 10
Northern Harrier 35, 226
Sharp-shinned Hawk 28, 95
Cooper's Hawk 24, 219
Red-shouldered Hawk 0, 19
Broad-winged Hawk 26, 599
Short-tailed Hawk 0, 10
American Kestrel 29, 79
Merlin 28, 436
Peregrine Falcon 364, 1799
Mississippi Kite 1, 82
Swallow-tailed Kite 3, 254
Total: 784, 7007
October is the best month for viewing raptors moving through the Keys. We are still getting Mississippi and Swallow-tailed Kites, and Sharp-shinned and Broadw-winged Hawk numbers will increase as the month goes on. We should see Swainson's Hawk begin to show up the second half of October.
Good numbers of nonraptors from the observation platform (which is actually a two story wash house in the campground area). We can get good numbers of migrating and wintering shorebirds and passerines. Piping and Wilson's Plovers are on the beach nearby, and we have had several days of over 15 warbler species in the park in September. A Clay-colored Sparrow was seen from the platform today. Astonishing numbers of nighthawks, swallows, and Eastern Kingbirds have been recorded this year, as well.
We also conduct bird surveys every morning at Long Key State Park. A few good birds have been kicked up here. Two Canada, Wilson's, several Swainson's Kentucky, Blue-winged and Chestnut-sided have been among several marquis warblers from the park this season. Three vagrants have also been kicked up: Key West Quail-Dove (found by Joel Wilcox), Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, and Yellow-green Vireo. Unfortunately, the vireo was discovered in an area that the public does not have access to.
There are plenty of birds to be seen in the often disregarded Middle Keys. Check out the link to the Florida Keys Hawkwatch at the top right of the board page.
Hope to see some more TAS faces down here soon,
Alex and the Florida Keys Hawkwatch.
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