Monday 12.5.2011

The morning started out cold with mostly overcast skies clearing around noon. I watched from 9:00-1:30. Winds were very calm out of the SW. My first bird was a subadult Golden Eagle at 10:48. It came out of the trees and was directly overhead.  It flapped its wings the whole way across the gap (an example of how little wind there was).  Eagles are well known for their ability to soar, if there is wind.  The clouds cleared and the sun made a brief appearance for an hour or two.  A mature adult Bald Eagle flew low in the valley following the contour of haystack mountain.  It was less than 40 feet above the houses flapping its wings the whole time.  Wonder if anyone noticed it?

Bald Eagle Adult @ 11:39
Red-Shouldered hawk 1
Red-tailed hawk 6
Golden Eagle Subadult @ 10:58

Other birds observed:
Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Raven, Dark-Eyed Junco, Black-Capped Chickadee, Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Thursday 12.1.2011

I met Adam Duerr, Ph.d a wildlife biologist at the watch for a day of observation.  Adam is involved in a Golden Eagle tracking project that is currently taking place.  We were hoping to see a few Golden Eagles, but the light winds seemed to deter them a bit.  It was a slow day, but great to see Adam again and have another pair of eyes scanning the skies.  It was completely blue skies with a calm west wind most of the day.  I had to leave the watch at 1:00, but Adam stayed until 4:30.  Here are the observations we made.

Turkey Vulture 45
Red-Tailed hawk 2
Red-Shouldered hawk 1

After my departure Adam had a few more birds. Here is the message Adam sent to me.

I stayed yesterday until 4:30 and saw several more RTHA, a few BLVU that clearly were moving south and 1 GOEA (at about 1:30).

Adam