The South Livingstone Raptor Count for the fall migration of 2008 has now begun. First official day of counting began on 25th August 2008. Follow the daily movement of raptors on this blog updated daily by Peter Sherrington.

Monday, November 17, 2008

November 15 [Day 80] (Bill Wilson) The weather was somewhat more pleasant than yesterday’s with the temperature climbing to 3C from a low of -4C, and W winds that shifted to WNW after 1400 generally only 30-40 km/h although occasional gusts reached 60-65 km/h. Cloud cover was initially 100% stratocumulus later thinning to 70% stratocumulus, cumulus and cirrus providing good viewing conditions. For the 3rd straight day there was steady raptor movement with 36 migrants seen from 1000 when the first of the day’s 25 Golden Eagles came through to 1626 when the last Golden Eagle was seen. The Golden Eagle total is the highest in 6 days and comprised 21 adults, 1 subadult and 3 juvenile birds. Surprisingly only 4 Bald Eagles (3 adults and 1 juvenile) were seen, and Northern Goshawks (3) and Rough-legged Hawks (3) continue to move south in low numbers. Passerines recorded included 6 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 100 Bohemian Waxwings, 32 Pine Grosbeaks, 10 White-winged Crossbills, 5 Common Redpolls and a single flock of 40 Pine Siskins providing the site’s first record in 8 days and the highest count in 18 days. 10.5 hours (901.47) BAEA 4 (376), NOGO 3 (241), RLHA 3 (92), GOEA 25 (5071), UE 1 (22) TOTAL 36 (7985)

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