Over 1,870 Broad-winged Hawks were seen Sunday morning as they arose from their roosts, formed swirling kettles, and streamed off south-west along the BGE power line
ridge.  This began at about 10:00 AM and ended by about 11:30 AM and consisted of groups of BWs ranging in number from a few hawks to several kettles of over 100 birds and a stream of over 200 birds. WOW !!!  Ten or so observers witnessed this flight,  and Phil Goldstein did a careful count of each group as they passed south.  As the flight became fast and furious, with kettles forming, streaming, then re-forming behind us, Phil stated that our final count was on the low side because birds were still joining the kettles as they passed south of us.

With some nice clouds and a blue sky in the afternoon we thought some good numbers would be had all day, but much to our surprise the flight ended with only 10 Broad-wings seen over the next 6 hours!!  We'll see what tomorrow brings....

CVP HawkWatch  Sunday   9/20 09  - 7:30 AM until 6:00 PM    12 + observers and 10 to 15 visitors

Broadwings - 1883

Sharpies - 19

Coopers - 2

Am. Kestrel - 7

Osprey - 11

Merlin - 1

Jim Meyers
Parkville MD