April 14-Last Evening For the Season

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-3
Turkey Vultures-15

Discussion:
A blustery day with intermittent rain, wind and clouds. By 9A the hawks and TV's were gone, possibly migrating through Palm Canyon. As the sun sets, so does the blog for the year. It's been a great year with the total number of Swainson's Hawks approaching 5,000. A full summary will be available in Hawk Migration Studies, a publication of Hawk Migration Association of North America. It will probably be available in late fall. Last year we counted almost 9,000 Swainson's Hawks. This year was a good example of "it's not the numbers". We had close encounters with kettle after kettle of hawks this year. Great close looks and wonderful evenings of hawk fall outs was the norm. The numbers below illustrate the spread of days with over 200 hawks in March (SW). Although huge numbers like 1,800 in a day last year, are exciting, they can be high and far away. Many days this year the SW's flew almost at eye level.

Evening Watch:
The wind continues and 5 Swainson's appeared but the roost site was not discovered.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
The temperature will increase tomorrow into the 80's with a warming trend all week. The possibility still exists for a number of Swainson's Hawks to come through. They may have been backed up by the storm. Hopefully tomorrow will provide surprises.

April 12-13-Season Will Officially End on April 15

Migration April 12-1 Turkey Vulture
Migration April 13-11 Turkey Vultures

Discussion:
It looks like the season is coming to an end-pretty abruptly. Swainson's Hawks and TV's will continue to trickle through all the way into early May. I will be leaving for Chicago on Sunday so tomorrow. When I complete the summary for the season, I will put it into the blog. I finally figured out how to Youtube. A little late, but exciting for next season. I'll share my first with you. It's only a few seconds and the dialog isn't very exciting. Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqwq5u3Zuy0&feature=youtu.be 


Evening Watch:
Rained out. We need the rain so we aren't complaining.

April 11-Blown Away Today

Migration Today:
Turkey Vultures-4

Discussion:
Cool (60's), slight drizzle, becoming very windy with puffy fair weather cumulus clouds- a perfect hawkwatching sky. No Swainson's apparently migrated today. The TV's came up from Roadrunner Club and moved over the watch and out of town.

Question:

Tamarisk Killer-4/11/12 off of Di Giorgio Road

What's the status of all the Tamarisk Trees in rows everywhere in Borrego Springs? Today I watched as a tractor gobbled up dead and dying Tamarisk Trees. Two weeks ago over 100 Swainson's Hawks were roosting in these trees. The trees were planted as wind breaks as early as the 1950's, to protect the grape vineyards. When the grape industry ceased production in the 60's, the trees began to die as water was cut off. Today thousands of trees line roadways and stretch out between. They are water suckers and folks in Borrego hate them. Well, not the Swainson's Hawk lovers. The trees provide tremendous roosting opportunities throughout the valley. We believe that it will take 20 years or more to get rid of all of them.

Evening Watch:
At 6:40P a lone intermediate morph Swainson's Hawk flew in circled and landed in the Date Farm. The expected followers didn't show. Perhaps that have come in late.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
The wind should pick up overnight. Any hawks in town will depart early. Rain is forecast for tomorrow night into Friday.

April 10-Windy Tonight-Maybe Some Hawks on the Way

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-30
Turkey Vultures-13

Discussion:
Weather was clear, hot (mid 80's) and light increasing wind. First lift off was at 8:30A as 4 Swainson's Hawks came out of Ellis Farm. By 10A 26 more lifted off from the same area. TV's began to rise from the Roadrunner Club at 9:20A. They apparently moved through Palm Canyon.

Question:

Do the Swainson's Hawks move through Borrego Springs as they migrate south in fall? Yes, some repeat the journey south, however in limited numbers through our valley. In Mid-October we have had over 300 in a kettle spend the night and then move on. Totals for the fall have never been more than 500 or so. We do not monitor the migration as frequently.

6 Swainson's of over 50 beginning to stream 4/9/12

Evening Watch:
Only 4 Swainson's were counted this evening, going into Ellis Farm. Ten TV's were observed going into the back of the Date Farm.


Prediction for Tomorrow:
Windy conditions will prevail through the night. If it is still windy tomorrow early, the hawks and TV's will be gone by 7:30A.

April 9-Still Some Action Today

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-85
Turkey Vultures-61

Discussion:

Perched Swainson's Hawk in a Tamarisk Tree on Henderson Canyon Road

Weather was clear with some broken clouds, calm wind and warming into the 80's. Lift off from the Fun Farm and fields to the north and the Date Farm. Kettles up to 30 formed and then the hawks streamed as they moved north past the day site then northwest through Coyote Canyon. The Turkey Vultures mixed in with the SW's as they made their way out of the valley.

Question:
How can we help with an understanding of the migration route of Swainson's Hawks? Well, I have just begun to put SW migration sightings (not breeding sites) in California on a map. Anyone can contribute information with the number, time and date of Swainson's observations. Send the information to me (Hal) at Raptorhal3@gmail.com

Evening Watch:
A beautiful evening and no apparent migration.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
Unless their is a late arrival this evening not much of a migration is expected. However, the wind is picking up and arrivals to the south and east may present themselves.

April 8-Spectacular Morning

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-247
Turkey Vultures-115

Discussion:

Roosting Swainson's around the new Solar Field 4/8/12

Weather today included calm wind, hot (80's by 10A) and high clouds. We arrived at the day site by 7:45A and viewed over 100 Swainson's along Henderson Canyon Road and the adjacent fields to the south and east. Hawks were even stationed in the new solar field including the top of the fence and on the ground. Turkey Vultures and Swainson's Hawks were also observed near Pekoff Farm on Borrego Springs Road. Lift-off began at 9A as hawks begin to rise directly to the east of the hawkwatch count site. Several kettles began to form as the hawks moved northwest. The Swainson's continued to kettle and stream from the east until 10:30A. The total included some SW's observed at Pekoff. Most of the Turkey Vultures departed from Borrego Springs Road near Pekoff Farm.

Evening Watch:
At 6:30P around 50 Turkey Vultures flew in from the west. At 6:45P a group of around 70 Swainson's Hawks began to drop into the west side of the Date Farm and other moved south and landed in Tamarisks near the Fun Farm. Remaining in the area until 7:20P paid off as more Swainson's came in from high.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
If the wind remains calm we can expect around 100 Swainson's and 50 TV's to lift off between 8:30 and 9A. The best place to view the Swainson's Hawks is on Di Giorgio just north of The Springs RV Park. Most likely the hawks will re-locate to dead Tamarisks near Di Giorgio. The whereabouts of most of the TV's is unknown. Based on events from earlier today (more SW's than expected) we may see more than 100 SW's.

April 7-Nice Views Today

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-63

Discussion:
Weather today included calm wind, sunny with broken clouds and temperature 60's-lower 70's. First lift-off at 9A from a few places. Two Swainson's Hawks emerged from trees only a few hundred yards from the day site (see photo). They kettled up over the watch site, moved south to join 6 SW's from the Date Farm. By 9:15A hawks began to rise from Ellis and east of Ellis Farm. This kettle included around 45 birds. It appears that some of the hawks moved directly north as did the big kettle. The hawks streamed northwest making counting easy today. Additional small kettles formed at both Ellis Farm and the Date Farm.

Question:
What type of camera do you use to take photo's? I don't have a fancy camera. I use a Panasonic Lumix 24X mainly just for documentation. It's rather small and easy to carry. It does an adequate job but not as good as the pro's with their big lenses. The bird today was mighty close so it was easier to get a decent photo.

Subadult Light Intermediate Morph Swainson's Hawk-4/7/12

 Evening Watch:
Another calm beautiful evening. At 6:15P about a dozen Swainson's Hawks were spotted very high. They didn't land. At 6:45P a large group of hawks was sighted to the north. At least 35 TV's and 15-20 Swainson's Hawks have landed near the day site.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
Weather should be calm and warming into the 80's tomorrow. Lift-off should take place between 8:30 and 9:15A. The best place for viewing is at the day site on Di Giorgio Rd near Henderson Canyon Road.

April 5-6-Catch Up-65-100 Hawk Drop-In Tonight

Migration April 5:
Swainson's Hawks-39
Turkey Vultures-1

Discussion:

Swainson's Hawk flying to the moon-Ray Spence April 3, 2012

Weather warm, 63-77 F, winds calm then breezy at 15 mph, wispy clouds. First lift-off at 8:15A from Ellis Farm. Kettles began to appear to the north as hawks streamed in from the east along Coyote MT. For the past few days we have observed some hawks moving to our north. Pictured here today is a Swainson's Hawk moving through the moon. Ray Spence took this picture earlier this week. A kettle of SW's were observed with the moon in the background.

Migration April 6:
Swainson's Hawks-26
Zone-tailed Hawk-1
Turkey Vultures-7

Discussion:
Weather was cool, 60 F, wind was calm with high clouds. First lift-off at 8:20A from the east. Once again we began to see small kettles just below Toro Peak. It appears that most of the hawks are coming in from the east/southeast along Coyote Mountain before kettling below Toro. We watched a hawk move from the Date Farm area, at a distance identifying it as a Turkey Vulture. As it approached it became apparent that it was buteo size with a bigger head. The body was blackish with white primaries (similar pattern to a TV), the tail had a dark subterminal band.

Evening Watch:
A beautiful calm evening with a drop-in. At 6:30P we watched a lone Swainson's Hawk fly from Ellis going south. It joined a large group of streaming hawks going toward Ellis Farm. In all I counted 65 birds before they dropped into Ellis. I

Prediction for Tomorrow:
Calm conditions will keep the hawks in late. Lift-off between 8:15-9A from Ellis Farm. Expect anywhere from 65-100 Swainson's Hawks. Best viewing will be from the day site and Henderson Canyon Road where it intersects Borrego Valley Road.

April 4-Surprise Hawks Today

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-102
Turkey Vultures-1

Discussion:
High clouds, warm (upper 70's) with a slight breeze. By 9:30A 50 Swainson's moved through the valley. Most coming up from Ellis Farm and points to the east. At 11A a kettle of SW's began to form to the north, just below Toro Peak. The kettle grew and birds began to stream through Coyote Canyon. New SW's from the east came into view. Some Swainson's came in from the south as well. The second wave probably roosted near highway 78 and arrived late.

Saul Miller creates cartoons for the The Borrego Sun

Question:
Do the Swainson's Hawks eat rabbits? Yes, but only on the breeding grounds. Borrego Bunnies are safe.

Evening Watch:
Only a handful of Swainson's this evening. Some going to the Date Farm and a few roosting at Ellis Farm.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
Hopefully we will have another surprise fly-in of Swainson's Hawks. Light wind should keep the hawks in until around 9A. Best place to view from will be the day count site on Di Giorgio Road.

April 3-Only a Few Swainson's Trickling In

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-14
Turkey Vultures-7

Discussion:
Some clouds, warm (70's) and light wind. Most of the hawks kettled up from Ellis Farm. The TV's came out of the Date Farm.

As of today I will report every few days unless there is a large number of Swainson's Hawks arriving.

Evening Watch:
Sixteen Swainson's Hawks and 13 TV's came in around 6:15P. It appears that the SW's put down in Ellis Farm and the TV's at the Date Farm. The wind has picked up and should continue through tomorrow.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
Once again the raptors will move early if the winds continues into the morning hours. The day count site on Di Giorgio Rd is probably the best spot to view the hawks.

 

April 2-Not Much Happening

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-10

Discussion:
Mostly sunny with light wind and warming to 70's. Seven Swainson's Hawks took off from Ellis Farm at 9:15A followed by 3 separate hawks.

Evening Watch:
We watched 11 Swainson's Hawks fly into the valley as singles. A few of the SW's moved to Ellis Farm close to the night site. We anticipated more hawks as the singles came from very high. Perhaps we have missed some birds late.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
Once again only a few Swainson's Hawks have roosted in the Date Farm and Ellis Farm. Calm wind tomorrow will get the birds up late, 8:30-9A.

Another shot  of SW's from Saturday March 31 along Borrego Springs Rd. 

April 1- Summary for March 2012

Migration Today:

Toro Peak (8,900 feet) with a kettle of Swainson's Hawks 3/31/12

Swainson's Hawks-26
Turkey Vultures-8


Discussion:
Very windy, clear and cool weather today. We had blowing sand throughout the morning hours. Hawks began to move by 6:45A. There was no kettling as hawks moved out of the valley at tree level to avoid the west/northwest wind, blowing up to 40mph. By 10A the last of the hawks and vultures was counted.

This year we have had 4,147 Swainson's Hawks migrate through the valley in March. The highest March count was last year, 2011. Only one other year (2008) was higher than 2012.


Evening Watch:
The wind has simmered down but hawks have also slowed down. We had only 4 Swainson's Hawks and 4 TV's fly into the valley. At least 3 SW's are roosting at the Date Farm. One lone SW flew to Ellis Farm.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
The wind should pick up again this evening. The few hawks and TV's will probably leave the valley early.