1 Million Raptors!

Yesterday's highlights were the more than 100,000 raptors counted by both stations and the almost 1,700 eagles on Station 1, but we fell just short of the million.

Today, after 6 weeks of counting and the last 2 days of fantastic raptor migration, we have passed the magical 1,000,000 raptor milestone!

Yesterday’s highlights were the more than 100,000 raptors counted by both stations and the almost 1,700 eagles on Station 1, but we fell just short of the million.

When the view on the saddle is this good in the morning, you know you're up for a great day. And so it was: we passed the million mark! — When the view on the saddle is this good in the morning, you know you’re up for a great day. And so it was: we passed the million mark! Photo: Bart Hoekstra

This morning, during the Steppe Buzzard push we counted the final 8,000 birds needed to reach the million! We had a fantastic day with Griffon Vultures, many Imperial Eagles, a Crested Honey Buzzard and a very enjoyable migration of large eagles in general. And there’s still more to come in the final weeks of the count… But first: we celebrate!

Sparrowhawk migration is still going strong and often results in bigger raptors being harassed when on migration, like this juvenile Honey Buzzard Photo: Bart Hoekstra