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Some of you may remember that I promised more details at the end of the report below, and then nothing until now. Well, see the extra bits of details added, including peregrine falcon, short-eared owls, probably more rough-legged hawks, and, most importantly, the possible double-counting of eagles at the end of our hour on Feb. 4/07. Cheers from Jim in Wolfville, 542-9204 ---------- From: Jim Wolford <jimwolford@eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 11:34:27 -0400 Subject: results of 2007 C. Coldwell Raptors/Eagles Count Feb. 4, 2007 (Sunday) - 26th ANNUAL CYRIL K. COLDWELL EAGLES/RAPTORS COUNT OF EASTERN KINGšS COUNTY -- 32 people in 16-19 field parties sought and counted raptors from 10 to 11 a.m., and then most reported results to the Sheffield Mills Community Hall, where the EAGLE WATCH WEEKEND II was still going on. WEATHER was generally quite cooperative and appropriate. Temperature was -5 C., wind was light, and visibility for our hour was generally good, varying from sunny to brightly overcast (mostly the latter). Earlier and later in the day there were snow squalls, and there was nice fresh snow on the trees and ground. After everyone reported their results, I added them up, and here are the totals: 427 BALD EAGLES (222 adults, 203 immatures, 2 not aged); 58 RED-TAILED HAWKS, ***including the PARTIAL ALBINO at Hortonville; 3 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS; 1 OR 2 prob. ?SHARP-SHINNED HAWK? (a large one with long tail -- Peter Hope)(another seen by Jean Timpa, too); 1 BARRED OWL. Non-raptors reported were 500 Canada Geese, and 40 + 50 Horned Larks. We had a problematic "situation" toward the end of our hour that needs to be reported, since there was possible/probable double-counting of some eagles. We have always done this count during just one hour, to minimize such counting inflations. But we have encountered difficulties in other years; I can recall at least two different counts where the reported number may have been somewhat exaggerated. There are three or four different assigned areas that all converge at the east end of the Gaspereau Valley, mainly from Wallbrook (s. of Grand Pre) almost to Avonport. And in that Wallbrook and east area, along the river, many eagles decided to start flying at about 10:55 a.m. or so. A couple of the counting teams also needed a bit of extra time after 11 a.m., and many eagles were in the air and moving about by then. Thus there was a bit of guesswork about whose eagles were whose in the counting. In our defense, there was a bit of consultation between groups afterward at the Sheffield Mills Community Hall and bit later by e-mail. Also it should be reported as possible additions to our total raptors listed above, Luke DeCicco saw an adult PEREGRINE FALCON at Grand Pre two days before our count, and Doug and Joanne Linzey saw 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS on a dyke near The Guzzle at northeast Grand Pre the day before the count; the Allistons could not relocate the owls on our count-day. Finally, I'm sure our count on ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS is low, based on several other reports in areas where none were seen on the count-day. ----------------
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