The South Livingstone Raptor Count for the spring migration of 2009 has now begun. First official day of counting began on 15th February 2009. Follow the daily movement of raptors on this blog updated daily by Peter Sherrington.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

May 13 [Day 76] (Piitaistakis Ridge site) Widespread early morning fog cleared from the ridges by 0830 but it only started to dissipate east of the ridge at 1300. The temperature only reached 6C from a low of -2C and winds were W all day gradually increasing into the afternoon peaking after 1700 at 90-100 km/h. Cloud cover was 50-80% cumulus until 1400 after which thin cirrostratus developed above the cumulus giving hazy sunshine for the rest of the day. Raptor movement was again slow with 10 birds migrating between 1144 and 1631 after which the very high winds seemed to impede further movement. The 7 Golden Eagles comprised 2 subadults and 5 juveniles, and the other migrants were 2 Ospreys and a juvenile Northern Goshawk. At 1021 a Great Blue Heron soared west of the ridge, crossed the ridge to the south of the site and flew high to the north, east of the ridge and above the fog for only the second record of the species for the site. A flock of 60 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finches at 1557 contained an albino bird that stood out conspicuously from its dark companions as they wheeled overhead. 12.5 hours (859.6) OSPR 2 (19), NOGO 1 (106), GOEA 7 (2705) TOTAL 10 (3676)

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