I posted this note on the old PVAS blog, but am reposting it on the new site.

PVAS sponsored a hawk watch trip October 12-15 to Cape May, NJ, my favorite hawk watching venue. Most of us rolled into Cape May late Friday. Friday had very favorable winds pushing over 1800 Sharpies, 1000 American Kestrels and 400 Merlins past the lighthouse. By Saturday, the wind shifted to the south. Nonetheless, although nothing like Friday, we had good numbers of all of the expected species, including:

Sharp-shinned Hawks
Coopers Hawks
Red-tailed Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks
Ospreys
Bald Eagles
Northern Harriers
Broad-winged Hawks
American Kestrels
Merlins
Peregrine Falcons

One of the more interesting times was spent on the beach at the south end of the island. This is the make or break spot for migrating hawks, where they must decide whether or not to try to cross Delaware Bay in the face of strong headwinds Most of the buteos did not try to make the crossing. Some of the accipiters tried but turned back after fighting the wind. A few Osprey casually made the crossing. Three Merlins looked at the bay and without hesitation powered across.

We had nine PVASers along and enjoyed great meals as well as good birding.

Sandy Sagalkin

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