Hawk migration

I spent just under two hours this morning atop Goat's Peak tower at Mount Tom State Reservation watching the hawk migration. Given the weather conditions I was hopeful for a good flight and was not disappointed! A total of 495 Broad wings plus a few Osprey, Harriers, Sharpies, Cooper's and Kestrels rounded out the hawk migrants. In addition a total of 70 Double Crested Cormorants and an early Bank Swallow plus groups of Yellow rumped Warblers. The birds were still moving when I left at midday. I can only imagine the overall total for the day. A fantastic spring hawk watch day.

Quabbin Park and Hawkwatch at Goats Peak

I spent an hour this morning checking out a few spots at Quabbin park. Some groups of warblers around but tough to get good looks at as the breeze kept the trees really moving. I then went to Goats Peak at Mt Tom and had some good raptors. Not the big broad wing day I was lokking for but still managed over 300 Broad wings and a smattering of other stuff such as merlin, kestrel, peregrine, osprey, harrier, goshawk, coopers and sharp shinned. Also a group of six ravens and 25 Chimney Swifts. Many of the broad wings passed over quite high in small groups. Maybe tomorrow will be the 'big day'? Another interesting sighting was a juvenile Cedar Waxwing that came in and landed on the tower within arms reach and stayed for a couple minutes. He called a few times and kept looking around. I think he was expecting to get fed! Eventually he took off for parts unknown.