The HLFM annual Hawk Watch with Maggie Jones took place on October 2, 2021 with another perfect day for migrating hawks and songbirds (and a few butterflies, dragonflies and spring peepers).
Maggie Jones’ Hawk and Bird Watch 2021
Species Observation List 10/2/21
Merlin
Kestrel
Harrier (2 or 3 individuals- 1 female, 2 immature)
Bald Eagle (juv)
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Osprey
Northern Gannet
Canada Goose
Black-bellied Plover
Double-crested Cormorant
Common Eider
Greater Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Raven
Common Crow
Fish Crow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Palm Warbler
Catbird
N. Flicker
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
N. Cardinal
E. Phoebe
Mockingbird
N. Mourning Dove
Starling
Clay Pit Woods Observations
Kingfisher
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Downy Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Cedar Waxwing
Butterflies, Dragonflies & Frogs
Monarch butterfly
Cloudless sulphur
Dragonflies (mostly common green darner)
Spring Peeper
Merlins (Falco columbarius) are small falcons. They are strong flyers and can pluck a bird out of the air in mid-flight. They also feed on small mammals, bats and insects. Even though they are sometimes the prey of Great Horned Owls and Peregrine Falcons, Merlins are aggressive and will attack just about any bird they encounter, including those that are predators.
Photo Credit: Beverly Meekins (USFWS)
The Henry L. Ferguson Museum keeps an active tally of all birds sighted on Fishers Island.
If you are interested in participating, please send an email to fimuseum@fishersisland.net and we will provide you with a Birding Checklist.
