The past two days at Kiptopeke were filled with hundreds of raptors! A cold front and storm system helped our hawkwatch see the highest total day counts of the season. It is still a little early in the season, but we had over 800 birds each day.
On Tuesday, September 17th, there were 872 raptors. We had the largest flights of American Kestrels and Merlins yet for this season! There were 303 kestrels and 289 Merlins, and several of them were seen eating dragonflies on the wing. There were a few Merlins that swooped down very low by the platform over the course of the day, likely on the hunt. One Merlin came especially close; it was only a few feet in front of us when it flew past at eye level.
On Wednesday, September 18th, there were 889 birds. It was another great day for small falcons, with 256 kestrels and 203 Merlins. The numbers of accipiters are starting to pick up, too. We counted 146 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 36 Cooper’s Hawks. We also spotted 22 White Ibises, eight Great Blue Herons, and a juvenile Little Blue Heron.
Bald Eagle (Megan Murante)
Merlin and American Kestrel (Steve Thornhill)
Kettle of Broad-winged Hawks (Megan Murante)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Megan Murante)
Cooper's Hawk (Megan Murante)
Merlin (Megan Murante)
Juvenile Little Blue Heron (Megan Murante)
