The first week of April for the 2024 spring raptor count has now concluded with an exciting 3,502 total raptors counted! Despite no counts occurring due to poor weather on 4/3 and 4/4, the overall flight observed was strong.
The strongest day of the season was the final day of the week, 4/6, where a total of 1,741 raptors were counted despite light winds and a slow build up. Calvin noted that even towards the end of the day, dozens of birds were still active in the area and we expect to continue seeing large numbers of raptors throughout the coming week.
Red-tailed Hawks were once again the most sighted species this week, totaling 2,120 counted Red-tails making up 61% of all raptors sighted in week 5. Red-tailed Hawks accounted for 62% of all the raptors counted on 4/6, the busiest day of the week and the season thus far. Multiple color morphs of the species have also been sighted, including leucistic, dark-morph, Harlan’s type, and partially albino Red-tailed Hawks. Turkey Vultures were the second most sighted species at 32%, followed by Bald Eagles in a dramatic drop-off to just 4%.
Past first weeks in April have varied, with 2023 and 2022 showing much lower numbers, while in 2021 the first week in April counted 4,167 raptors.
With better weather on the horizon, we expect to see higher and higher raptor numbers, although rain this coming week may dampen numbers at least for week 6. It may also be fascinating to see how the eclipse on 4/5 may affect the migration! Make sure to check back next week for our next weekly summary.
