Peregrine Falcon Update – October 20, 2013

Above is a chart that includes all seasonal Peregrine Falcon totals from raptor migration counts at Curry Hammock State Park since the fall of 1999. The current season’s total (2013) is featured as a red-colored bar. With more than two weeks left of counts, it is difficult to predict what our final Peregrine tally will be. Regardless, this has been a stellar season for the species. Even if we saw no more Peregrines (virtually impossible), this year’s current total of 3,604 would rank among the top 2 counts in the project’s history – and anywhere in the world!

Peregrine Falcon photographed at Curry Hammock State Park by Kevan Sunderland.

Raptor count totals to date:
Turkey Vulture – 341
Osprey – 1428
Bald Eagle – 8
Northern Harrier – 242
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1268
Cooper’s Hawk – 442
Red-shouldered Hawk – 8
Broad-winged Hawk – 3573
Swainson’s Hawk – 1
Short-tailed Hawk – 25
Mississippi Kite – 86
Swallow-tailed Kite – 14
American Kestrel – 1449
Merlin – 325
Peregrine Falcon – 3604
Unknown Accipiter – 8
Unknown Buteo – 7
Unknown Falcon – 5
Unknown Raptor – 13
Total: 12,847