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.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

November 27 [Day 92] (Vance Mattson) Back on the ridge again the temperature rose to -1C from 1300 to 1500 from a low of -4C and W winds initially 20-25 gusting 40 km/h steadily increased throughout the day reaching 55 to 60 gusting 70 km/h by 1700. It was cloudless until 1000 after which 50-80% thin altostratus developed which thickened and increased to 90% after 1400 producing both good observing conditions and a spectacular sunset. The first migrant raptor, an adult Golden Eagle, did not appear until 1338 after which movement was slow but steady until 1642 when the 11th migrant of the day, a juvenile Bald Eagle, flew south. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly an adult Peregrine Falcon that flew south just to the west of the ridge at 1347 producing the latest fall record ever for the species on an RMERF count (the previous latest was November 14, 1995 at Mount Lorette), and raising the count total to 35 which equals last fall’s record RMERF count for the species. Only 3 species of passerine were seen, including 23 Pine Grosbeaks. 9.5 hours (1013) BAEA 6 (441), NOGO 1 (244), GOEA 3 (5201), PEFA 1 (35) TOTAL 11 (8201)

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