mocosocoBirds

Wildcat Ridge
Hibernia, New Jersey, USA

Visitors:
Total: 47 Thanks to Nick, Joe/U.S. Navy active duty and Rob for assisting today. Special thanks also to Karen & Fred who assisted and were instrumental in sighting both of today’s Bald Eagles.

Weather:
Overnight/early morning showers and local fog ended 0930 and hawk watch began 1000 hrs. 100 cloud cover. Wind 0-5 mph from the south. Bursts of sunlight from 1100-1300 hrs which brought cloud cover to 75% Temp range: 67-74 F

Raptor Observations:
Slow raptor day, yet those seen were naked eye views and less than an approx. 5,000′ ceiling. The large groups of local TV & BV kept the visitors busy watching their flight. The accipiters and the American Kestrel were close views as they rose out of the valley in front of the watch. The three Broad-winged hawks lifted off from the valley, from the Boonton ARC property. (@1357 hrs)An adult BE dropped from a higher flight to the left of the hawk watch, caught a thermal, rose again and headed non-stop south. (@1447 hrs)An 4th year BE was viewed over Marcella Ridge and gave a lengthy view as well.

Non-raptor Observations:
No non raptor species, except for the local Raven, were at the watch today.

Predictions:
Tomorrow forecast sunny with a high of 66 F

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Wildcat Ridge information may be found at: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/wldcthwk.htm

Wildcat Ridge
Hibernia, New Jersey, USA

Visitors:
15 Thank you to Mitch V. for assisting with the sightings.
Weather:
Temp range: 54-71 F Winds 10-15 continually from the south. Initial haze in the valley, clearing and a cloud cover of 95% which @ 0920 hrs changed to 0% and by 1015 hours back to 90%.

Raptor Observations:
The majority of the raptors seen were in the 20,000′ elevation with many only about 1000′ above the watch. The Broad-winged were mostly naked eye birds and in groups of no more than 11 being the largest. Local BV & TV and the adult and 2 juvenile Red-tailed hawks presented some minor entertainment. 1019 hrs: Immature Bald Eagle 1140 hrs: 2nd year Bald Eagle 1140 hrs: 3rd year Bald Eagle The BE’s at 1140 hrs were following each other and one was not too far above the watch for a naked eye view of its detailing.

Non-raptor Observations:
The pair of Raven were active around the watch and gave some nice naked eye views of their interactions. Non-raptor species: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Northern Flicker and Eastern Wood-Pewee. One Autumn Meadowhawk dragonfly and a Five-lined Skink were present also

Predictions:
Rain showers overnight to end mid day with temps in mid 80’s