The South Livingston Raptor Count for the fall migration of 2009 has now begun. First official day of counting began on 25th August 2009. Follow the daily movement of raptors on this blog updated daily by Peter Sherrington. If you enjoy and are inspired by what you are reading, and would consider supporting or joining RMERF, please click on Membership for details.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

November 22 [Day 88] (Valley View site) The temperature only ranged between -2C and -3C all day, ground winds were light varying from NE to SW and ridge winds were light to moderate W in the morning and moderate WNW in the afternoon. Cloud cover was 100% altostratus, cumulus and low stratus until 1600 when the cover thinned to 70-90% cumulus, altostratus and cirrus. Light snow fell continuously from 1000 to 1440 and the Livingstone Ridge was completely or partially obscured between 1030 and 1425. The early morning calm conditions saw a Rough-legged Hawk, a Golden Eagle and a Bald Eagle flap low to the south along the Livingstone ridge between 0826 and 0850. As ridge winds became moderate Bald Eagles glided high to the south at 0944 and 1004 and then movement was completely shut down as snow moved from the west and obscured the ridges. After the snow ceased and the ridges cleared a Bald Eagle went south at 1459 and then movement became fairly steady peaking at 9 birds between 1600 and 1700 with the last bird, the day’s third Rough-legged Hawk, recorded at 1646. Bald Eagles dominated the count with 15 adults, and only 3 adult Golden Eagles moved today. The Bald Eagle at 1636 was the 6900th migrant raptor of the season but we are still 926 birds (-12.81%) behind the site average cumulative count for this date. A flock of 20 Common Redpolls flying south just after 0900 was the largest recorded this season. 10.16 hours (1003.8) BAEA 15 (533), RLHA 3 (73), GOEA 3 (4218) TOTAL 21 (6901)

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