While running some errands in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County this morning 
( Saturday, April 14th ), I noticed several small groups of high flying raptors  heading 
north-east. One Osprey, one Sharp-shinned Hawk and an American Kestral were among 
the first group seen with naked eye at 7:30 am. Quickly grabbing my binoculars and 
scanning the sky more closely, I could see several Buteos at high altitude which I guessed 
were Broad-winged Hawks. By 11:30 am I estimated 25 or 30 BWs were seen flying in 
loose groups of 2 to 6 birds over Timonium, Parkville and Guilford.
At 12:30 pm Mark Miller and I arrived at CROMWELL VALLEY PARK to conduct a hawk 
count. With increasing clouds and light, variable winds, the flight was meager. Two or 
three BWs were low enough to show field marks while most were very high in wide, loose 
groups. A stream of 14 BWs was the largest group seen.
In anticipation of the wet weather system moving out of our region by Monday night (?), 
we will man the Cromwell Valley Park HawkWatch on Tuesday the 17th and Wednesday 
the 18th from about 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. This type of weather system can hold up the 
Broad-winged Hawks until clearing skies can create thermals upon which they rely. With 
a little luck we may get a good flight.
CROMWELL VALLEY PARK Hawkwatch  4/14/2007- TOTALS

BROAD-WINGED HAWK - 27
OSPREY - 4
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK - 3
COOPERS HAWK - 2
NORTHERN HARRIER - 1
AM. KESTRAL - 1
BALD EAGLE - 1

Jim Meyers
Parkville  Md