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.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

December 2 [Day 98] (Valley View site) It was the second coldest day of the season with a morning low of -18C and the temperature reaching -5C at 1400 but falling again to -15C at 1820. It was cloudless all day with traces of cumulus cloud between 1000 and 1530, and it was mainly calm both in the valley and at ridge level. Raptor movement again started early with a Bald Eagle and 2 Rough-legged Hawks flying south between 0804 and 0821, but the next Bald Eagle was not seen until 1143. Movement picked up in the afternoon with 14 more migrants peaking at 6 between 1400 and 1500 which included 4 Bald Eagles flying south together at 1420. The last of the day’s 18 migrants were 2 Bald Eagles flapping low to the south at 1640. The flight comprised 14 Bald Eagles (10 adults, 3 subadults, 1 juvenile), 2 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 2 adult Golden Eagles. Because of the calm conditions all birds flapped extensively and the day’s first Golden Eagle at 1143 soared for 5 minutes before finally flapping and gliding to the south along the Livingstone ridge. A Great Horned Owl singing at 1702 was the first owl species detected during a count in December. 10 hours (1102.4) BAEA 14 (667), RLHA 2 (85), GOEA 2 (4288) TOTAL 18 (7122)

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