Date: 10/16/25 2:36 pm
From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...>
Subject: [de-birds] Ashland Nature Center (16 Oct 2025) 179 Raptors
Ashland Nature Center
Hockessin, Delaware, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2025
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 1 7 7
Turkey Vulture 108 487 642
Osprey 0 14 133
Bald Eagle 18 117 217
Northern Harrier 1 20 66
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 213 534
Cooper's Hawk 19 133 199
American Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 28 44
Broad-winged Hawk 0 44 3720
Red-tailed Hawk 5 50 75
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 1 1
American Kestrel 1 59 213
Merlin 4 13 38
Peregrine Falcon 1 2 6
Unknown Accipitrine 2 2 2
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0

Total: 179 1191 5898
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours

Official Counter: David Brown

Observers: Andy Ednie, Carol Spease, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger,
Lana Glass, Sally O&#039;Byrne, Sally O'Byrne,
Walt Blackwell

Visitors:
15


Weather:
Blue skies all day. Strong NNW winds. Chilly.

Raptor Observations:
A steady flight most of the day but spotting was difficult with the blue
skies. A mix of high and low migrants, including some very high. The
highest Turkey Vulture day so far with over a hundred. A lot of Bald Eagle
activity with 18 migrants. Many Bald Eagles were extremely high enjoying
the strong winds. The only harrier was an adult male that soared over high.
A moderate Accip flight with 16 sharpies and 19 Coops. Small Buteo totals
with 2 red-shoulders and 5 red-tails. We had the falcon trifecta with four
merlins, one kestrel, and one juvenile peregrine.

The highlight of the day was the first GOLDEN EAGLE of the season, an
immature that glided high overhead in the early afternoon. This was a great
birthday bird for Kim!

Non-raptor Observations:
500 Canada Geese, 10 Wood Ducks, 17 Common Mergansers, Chimney Swift, 2
Common Ravens, Hermit Thrush, 25 Purple Finches, 2 monarchs.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S279758982

New species for season: Hermit Thrush, Golden Eagle

Predictions:
Tomorrow: Mainly sunny. High 64F. Winds NNW at 10-15mph. Similar to today
except the wind won't be as overly strong. Great wind direction and speed.
Spotting will be difficult without clouds if the raptors are high. I would
expect results to be similar to today. Expect moderate to good migration.

Saturday: Mix of sun and clouds. High 68F. Winds light and variable. Expect
moderate migration.

Sunday: Some morning sun then increasing clouds. High near 75F. Winds S at
10-20mph. Expect light to moderate migration.
========================================================================
Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>)
Ashland Nature Center information may be found at:
www.delnature.org


More site information at hawkcount.org: https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=663
Count data submitted via Trektellen.org - Project info at:
http://trektellen.org/count/view/4030/20251016



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