Monarch prep for Hawk Mountain's first Monarch Day Migration Celebration

[Donna]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNT9lDiKpho

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association  Monarch Update! We have butterflies, folks, and they're resting/feeding in our mesh, monarch 'condo' until Saturday when they will help educate the public about the wonders of AL long-distance migrants.

[Donna]

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association  Yesterday marked the 32nd anniversary of Hawk Mountain Miracle Day when 21,000 hawks (I'd croak) passed the Lookout...always fun to see our miracle day reunion!

[MAK]

Yikes!  I would love to see that many.   

[Donna]

Monarch release was a big success. This one is tagged.

A happy customer has his tagged monarch in its protective, breathable bag until the moment of release

[MAK]

 

[Donna]

http://www.youtube.com/user/HawkMountainPA#p/a/u/1/In2-24Zeba0 Monarch release video

http://www.youtube.com/user/HawkMountainPA#p/a/u/2/5m3UwPJwVzI how to tag a Butterfly

[Donna]

We're closing in on a new Bald Eagle record. 233 eagles passed since Aug 15 and the record is just 245...won't be long!

From Hawk Mountain!
 
I can't even imagine seeing all them Eagles.   

[rssport]

Received this note today.
Sept 21
 
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) spent from 10:00 AM to noon on the top of Hook Mt. We saw all 8 species of the expected hawks, both vultures and Common Raven. Not too many hawks except for the Broad-wings. At one period, a kettle merged into another kettle and another. The sky was filled with BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and they kept coming. The count was ~900 when we left with the afternoon yet to come.
 
A Broad-wing flight day is always a spectacular. We lucked out.
 
Good birding.  Sy

[Donna]

Received this note today.
Sept 21
 
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) spent from 10:00 AM to noon on the top of Hook Mt. We saw all 8 species of the expected hawks, both vultures and Common Raven. Not too many hawks except for the Broad-wings. At one period, a kettle merged into another kettle and another. The sky was filled with BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and they kept coming. The count was ~900 when we left with the afternoon yet to come.
 
A Broad-wing flight day is always a spectacular. We lucked out.
 
Good birding.  Sy

OMG! 900 

[Donna]

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association  Despite the grey and overcast skies to today, the birds have been flying. We've seen more than 300 Broad-wings and 80 Sharp-shinneds. Osprey, kestrels and harriers are also flying. Counted 3 more Bald Eagles too! 

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association  Bald Eagle record is broken!! We won't know the final record until December 15, but it's safe to say the previous record will be *crushed.* Previous record was 245, and we're now at 251 eagles.   

[MAK]

yay!

[Donna]

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association  Three small school groups this morning and all had some great looks at migrants: 27 Ospreys, 3 bald eagles, 25 sharpies, 7 Cooper's, 2 peregrines, 1 redtail and 1 merlin -- and that's only through 11 am. Happy October

[Donna]

Wow, LOTS of close looks at hawks yesterday, 682 sharpies and 929 total raptors overall. Expecting the sharpie flight to continue today and with luck, through the weekend.