A truly unforgettable day at Cromwell Valley Park this Friday, Sept. 25th as over 2,624 raptors consisting of 9 species were counted.  The flight began at 9:30 AM and gradually picked up momentum until 11:00 AM when the sky seemed to always have at least a few hawks flying over.  This was the case until just after 5:00 PM when the flight slowed down.  We broke our record for 4 species today.  Broad-wings were in kettles and streams appearing in every portion of the sky.  The largest stream was counted by Mark Scarf and totaled 552 BWs at 4:40 PM.  Sharpies were almost non-stop.  A steady flow of Kestrels through-out the afternoon.  Just an amazing day!
Mark Miller and Phil Goldstein were invaluable in spotting those distant kettles. Kevin Graff didn't let a single Sharpie get by us!   Thanks to everyone.

CVP HawkWatch  Friday, 9/25/09    -   9:30 AM to 6:00 PM  -  5 observers at various times

Broad-wings - 2,391  -  broke old record of 2,186

Sharpies - 144  -   "   "    "    " 44

Am. Kestrel - 42 -   "     "      "      "  21

Coopers - 13 -   "   "    "    "  8

Osprey - 18

B. Eagle - 5

Merlin - 2

N. Harrier - 8

Peregrine - 1

Jim Meyers
Parkville MD.