Hawkwatch and Picnic on Blueberry Hill

It was a beautiful day on the hill with birders coming and going throughout the day.  Hazy sunshine with gauze-thin clouds slowly gave way to thickening high-altitude stratus clouds for our hawkwatch. A light ENE wind shifted to SE then SW, never exceeding 7 mph. Temperature range was 62-72 degrees F during the day.

Given the wind direction(s), I expected a disappointing flight, and my expectation was not disappointed. The largest kettle comprised only 15 Broad-wings. Also counted were 2 Osprey, 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Cooper’s Hawks, and 1 Ameri-can Kestrel.  Not counted as migrants were 2 Black Vultures, 2 Turkey Vultures, adult Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk (local), 2 Red-shouldered Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawk.

Other species identified throughout the day were Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 3 Chimney Swifts, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pile-ated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, 2 Common Ravens, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, 9 Cedar Waxwings, and 2 American Goldfinches.  There was one (!) skulking warbler, who refused to show ID. We also counted 11 monarch butterflies and the first spotted lanternfly (horrors) on Blue-berry Hill.