2019 Spring Raptor Migration from Plum Island Hawkwatch

Despite the best efforts of the team from Eastern Mass Hawk Watch, the 2019 Spring Migration season was a disappointing one in terms of migrant raptors.  The Plum Island Hawkwatch is situated at Lot #1 of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge near Newburyport, MA. As a coastal migration site, observers here are treated to the spectacle of raptors that migrate along the Atlantic Ocean on their journey northward.  

Total Raptor Migrant Numbers Below Average

The Eastern Mass Hawk Watch team covered over 185 hours of observation between March and May.  The total migrant count was 726 raptors – just over half of last year’s total of 1,388. Full report details available at https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?tab=inv_t&rsite=115

Migrant Osprey Total Down

The hawkwatch counted only 16 migrant Osprey in Spring 2019. This reflects the lowest migratory total in the last 12 seasons.

Merlin Migration Numbers Consistent

The tally of 76 migrant Merlins generally remained consistent with totals from previous recent spring seasons.

American Kestrels Remain Most Counted Spring Migrant

Plum Island’s American Kestrels are a main draw for the hawkwatch crowd and this year was no exception.  375 American Kestrels were counted at the watch.

Northern Harrier Migration Remains Strong

Over 100 Northern Harriers migrated past Plum Island for the 9th consecutive year.  The 2019 spring total was 139 birds.