Strong NW winds made for a great late fall day at Lighthouse with big numbers of diurnal migrants and a good showing of hawks, especially buteos. Highlights included two close Northern Goshawks, small numbers of White-winged Crossbills and 8 Cave Swallows.
Red-tailed Hawk – up close and personal!
Non-raptor highlights (totals courtesy of Nick Bonomo):
Common Raven 1
Tree Swallow 47
Cave Swallow 8
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
Eastern Bluebird 276
American Robin 6,695
American Pipit 56
Cedar Waxwing 467
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird 20,685
Rusty Blackbird 23
Common Grackle 159,950
Purple Finch 84
House Finch 263
White-winged Crossbill 7 groups of 3,1,1,1,1
Pine Siskin 78
American Goldfinch 360
Red-shoulder
Distant Northern Goshawk - juv. Initially picked up by Nick as it snuck behind us at head height, it quickly disappeared into the woods before finally circling up and out.
A quick stop at Fort Hale park to check the pines for crossbills resulted in two White-winged’s!
Male White-winged Crossbill, Nathan Hale Park, New Haven. A record shot!
November 4, 2012 at 4:25 am |
WOW! Beautiful shots!!