2007 MIGRATION SUMMARY

By Keith Dieroff

Writing the Migration Summary for the 2007 season turned out to be much harder than I expected. There were no significant rarities, and unfortunately, there were not a lot of good news stories, so I’ll just stick to the facts.

The first widely known fact is that Turkey Vulture numbers continue to increase. While we didn’t match our apogee from last year of 5,934, Turkey Vulture numbers were higher than both their short-term (5-year) and long-term (20-year) average.

Merlin numbers also continue their upward trend. This year’s count of 18 was also above both the short-term and long-term averages.

Counts for several species were mixed, including Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Red-shouldered Hawk. Both Ospreys and Bald Eagles were above their 20-year average but below the 5-year benchmark. Conversely, Red-shouldered Hawks were above their short-term average, but below the long-term average.

This leaves 10 species of raptor below both their short-term and long-term averages, including:

• Northern Harrier - 15% below short-term average; 25% below long-term average
• Sharp-shinned Hawk - 31% below short-term average; 99% below long-term average
• Cooper’s Hawk - 8% below short-term average; 8% below long-term average
• Northern Goshawk - 10% below short-term average; 60% below long-term average
• Broad-winged Hawk - 29% below short-term average; 14% below long-term average
• Red-tailed Hawk - 12% below short-term average; 22% below long-term average
• Rough-legged Hawk - 23% below short-term average; 9% below long-term average
• Golden Eagle - 22% below short-term average; 16% below long-term average
• American Kestrel - 3% below short-term average; 22% below long-term average
• Peregrine Falcon - 69% below short-term average; 51% below long-term average

Thanks very much once again to all the counters who agreed to count or assist on one or more days during the 2007 Hawkwatch: Alfred Adamo, Glenn Barnett, Bouwe Bergsma, John Black, David Brewer, Geoff Carpentier, Barry Cherriere, Linda Cherriere, Jim Coey, Bob Curry, Sandra Davey, Keith Dieroff, Jim Dowall, Chris Escott, Tim Foran, Denys Gardiner, Ann Gray, Brian Gray, Colin Horstead, Marcie Jacklin, Kevin McLaughlin, Gord McNulty, George Meyers, Brian Mishell, George Naylor, Alfred Raab, Tom Reavley, Glenda Slessor, Bill Smith, Terrie Smith, John Stevens, Mike Street, Tom Thomas, Sandra van Hullenaar, Phil Waggett. If anyone's name has been omitted please accept our apologies and let Mike Street know.

2007 NIAGARA PENINSULA HAWKWATCH MONTHLY COUNTS