April 7 Daily Flight Summary

Official Counter         

Adam Richardson

Observers       

None

Weather         

Strong S winds overnight with occasional rain showers.  Overcast skies of stratus at 09:00 with 5-6kph winds out of the N.  Temperature of 4C with excellent visibility to the E and W.  At 13:30 the winds had switched to the SW at 9-13kph.  The Smith River dropped considerably during the day today.  Upstream of the OP one bank continues to erode and fall into the river. 

Raptor Notes 

No migrating raptors were detected today.  This could be the beginning of the decrease in migratory raptors from here until the duration of the count 15 April.

Resident birds were quite active today and took advantage of the strong winds.  With the lack of migrants coming through skirmishes seemed to break out amongst raptors more regularly.  Several species exhibited roller-coaster displays including the NOHA and GOEA.  TUVU were active flying in to a cow carcass I had not noticed.  The nesting resident BAEA was observed ripping into a deer carcass upstream in the Johnston Pasture.  Later, its mate was seen returning with more nesting materiel primarily reeds and mud.  (3) NOHA are now resident with male, female and immature all observed throughout the day.  The most notable skirmish occurred between the S1 BAEA that had secured some prey and was perched upstream in the Johnston Pasture.  It was being cooperatively attacked by a dark and light-morphed Red-tailed Hawk.  The BAEA peeled off to the E over Sheep Creek while the RTHA escorted it most of the way up Jumbo.  The immature GOEA was interested in the resident TUVU at the end of the day and flew from Jumbo down to the Smith River to see what they were eating.

Non-raptor Notes

AMWI and HOME were both spotted on the Smith River just upstream of the OP.  I had heard the AMWI for the last few mornings from my tent, but they always flushed before I could get a look.  A lone CAGU was spotted directly over the OP circling all by itself.  RWBL, EUST, BBMA and ROPI were all seen in increasing numbers. 

Visitors           

None

Next Day Forecast

N/A