1506 Peregrine Falcons in 1 Day Count – New World Record

Photos of Peregrine Falcons over FKH on 10/10/15 by Ted Keyel. Additional photos and composite by Rafael Galvez.

October 10, 2015 was an incredible, magical day when 1506 migratory Peregrine Falcons were tallied from the Florida Keys Hawkwatch at Curry Hammock State Park. No other site in the world has recorded such a high count during a single day of this incomparable predator. The previous world record was established by our site during Oct. 10, 2012, when an impressive 651 total Peregrines were tallied that day. This year’s new record more than doubles the previous count from 2012.

BIGGEST PEREGRINE FLIGHT DAY VIDEO (CLICK IMAGE TO PLAY)

This day was also the third highest day count for Sharp-shinned Hawks at our site, totaling in 1241. It would have taken 284 more Sharpies to match the 1525 from Oct. 20, 2011.

Below is a list by the hour of the impressive Peregrine Falcon flights our site experienced throughout the day (Oct. 10, 2015):

0900-1000: 10
1000-1100: 35
1100-1200: 250
1200-1300: 386
1300-1400: 453
1400-1500: 241
1500-1600: 46
1600-1700: 26
1700-1800: 28
1800-1900: 31
TOTAL: 1506

OUR AMAZING HAWKWATCH VOLUNTEERS this day were Ted Keyel, Colleen Kimbert Caudill and Charles Caudill. Mark Hedden and Rafael Galvez were backup counters during the latter half of the count day. A tremendous effort by this crew! Tom and Janet Kuehl have been visitors for many days and shared this magical day with us – thank you for your help and enthusiasm.

Most Peregrines this day flew by at great altitudes, requiring much effort by volunteers to keep up with the counts. Photo by Ted Keyel.