Sunday, November 11, 2007

Goshawk v. Cooper's Hawk!

This just in from Jessie Barrie, from yesterday at the hawk watch: "Cool flight today, but it only lasted from ~930-1130. Cave Swallows congregated along dunes at dusk. At least 6 individuals, also seen throughout day. Biting NE wind throughout the day.If you plan on coming out to the hawkwatch, its time to bring lots of layers. Flyby Cattle Egret, also a highlight. Gannet numbers were spectacular in the rips. Gannets were very close to shore in general, and a kettle of 40 formed next to the Bunker at one point. But, one of the most incredible sightings of the season was an adult Northern Goshawk chasing a Cooper's Hawk. They locked talons twice, and ultimately the two birds spun to the ground out of sight. I wouldn't be surprised it that was that Cooper's Hawk's last flight."

Truly unbelievable! Although I once saw a Great-horned Owl carrying a still-flopping Cooper's Hawk, and Pete Dunne told me about a gos taking a sharpie up on Racoon Ridge. Raptors do eat each other when they can.

I hear that the Avalon Seawatch had another strong gannet and scoter flight yesterday. Finally, following is a report from CMBO's afternoon walk at Cape May Point State Park, courtesy of Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg, also from yesterday:

Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 11/10/07
Number of species: 53
Canada Goose 40
Mute Swan 8
Gadwall 10
American Wigeon 40
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 15
Northern Pintail 30
Green-winged Teal 50
Black Scoter 40
Hooded Merganser 10
Ruddy Duck 10
Common Loon 5
Northern Gannet 50
Double-crested Cormorant 60
Great Blue Heron 8
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 10
Northern Harrier 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 10
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 75
Royal Tern 5
Rock Pigeon 20
Mourning Dove 10
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 5
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 10
Tree Swallow 200
Cave Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 5
Carolina Wren 7
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 300
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 75
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Eastern Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 20
House Finch 20
American Goldfinch 12

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