Migration Update

The first three Golden Eagles for the season were spotted this past week, and two Northern Goshawks were counted the week prior. Falcons have become scarce while Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, Red-Shouldered Hawks have been showing up in larger numbers. Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper's Hawks will continue in smaller numbers through November.

American Robins, Eastern Bluebirds, American Pipits, Eastern Meadowlarks, Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, and mixed blackbird flocks (Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Grackle, Rusty Blackbirds) have been filling the skies in the morning.

Waterfowl has started to move through and onto the Eastern Shore of VA. The third flock of Tundra Swans for the season was spotted yesterday along with 60 Canada Geese. Several flocks of 20-40 scoters (Surf Scoter and Black Scoter identified) were seen flying by the platform today. Waterfowl numbers will drastically increase as the month goes on, including large flights of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese visible from the platform.

Monarch Butterflies have become almost non-exist on the Eastern Shore of VA. Very few Monarchs have been seen from the platform in the past week, with only one today. Cole Gandee, the Monarch Biologist for the season has finished up his duties for the season with 486 Monarchs tagged.

Two Red-tailed Hawks passing each other.

~Katie