Mark Scarff and I were hoping to pull out a few more migrant hawks before the end of the count season, so we met at the CVP HawkWatch at 10:00 AM on Friday, December 2nd.  Clear, brisk air and some scattered clouds made for good viewing conditions.  Immediately we saw a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks flying directly overhead at low altitude.  As we watched them disappear to the south, another pair appeared overhead following the same flight line.  By 10:30 AM we began to see Red-tailed Hawks in small groups moving south also.  The RTs seemed to be moving at a slower pace than the RSs.  The RTs would slowly circle and gain height before moving off, while the RSs were steadily flapping and pushing on.  Calm winds had something to do with the difference in flight styles I would guess.

I had to leave at noon, and Mark stayed until 3:00 PM or so.  We ended up with our highest number of both RTs and RSs of the season!  And to think some years ago we would have ended the season count by mid-November.  As it stands now we will probably continue the count until mid-December.

Our numbers today were among the highest of all the watch-sites reporting in the east.  Go to hawkcount.org for details.

Cromwell Valley Park HawkWatch , Baltimore County -  Friday, Dec. 2nd  2011 - 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM  -  2 observers

Redtails - 75

Redshoulders - 47

Sharpies - 2

Coopers - 3

N. Harrier - 1

B. Eagle - 1

Un.Id. Eagle - 1

Un.Id. Buteo - 3

Jim Meyers

Parkville MD

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