Swainson's Moving to the West-March 31, 2013

Leader:
Hal Cohen
Assisted By:
Wes Hetrick, Pam Albers

Migration Today:
Northern Harrier-1

Discussion:
No Swainson's Hawks were observed migrating today. We did get a report of 10 SW's sighted south of the Roadrunner Club and moving west. We would not see these hawks if they migrated up Palm Canyon.

Someone at the hawkwatch recently left a camera case and a battery. I have it.

Evening Watch:
A windy evening with at least 5 Swainson's and 2 Red-tailed Hawks above the Date Farm. Several TV's but probably residents.

Prediction:
The windy weather is probably not going to abate by tomorrow. Any Swainson's Hawks will migrate very early in the morning.

A standoff-TV and Ravens-3/30/13-HC

Looks like the TV won the standoff-3/30/13-HC

Lost 45 Swainson's From Last Night-March 30, 2013

Leader:
Wes Hetrick
Assisted by:
Pam Albers, Hal Cohen

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-16

Discussion:
Wes was out at sunup and couldn't find 45 Swainson's that flew into the Date Farm. We only took the hawks that were observed leaving through Coyote Canyon. We had a great look at a Prairie Falcon that flew over the hill and apparently chased another falcon from the ground before landing in a tree nearby.

Question:
Where are the hawks? We had a great beginning to the season. However we are not getting much migration during what should be a very active period. Either the hawks are taking another route north or they are held up to the south. Our window of migration opportunity begins to shrink after April 8 or so.

Evening Watch:
A disappointing evening without any Swainson's Hawks arriving.

Prediction:
Not much to predict. Hopefully we will have one of those surprise days with hawks coming in from unknown roosting sites.

A shot of a Swainson's on Henderson Canyon Rd. 3/30/13-HC

Nice Kettles Today-3/29/13

Leader:
Bob Theriault
Assisted by:
Wes Hetrick, Pam Albers, Rose Leong
Scouts: Joe Hopkins, Hal Cohen

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-98

Discussion:
The weather was clear with scattered clouds and temperature from 62-84. Several Swainson's flew very low from the date farm ENE at 8A. At 8:40A lift off of 45 SW's from the Date Farm. They flew north and kettled above the solar farm. Two kettles formed and hawks moved back and forth providing a great show for photographers. They were joined by SW's from the east and finally departed through Coyote Canyon. SW's were observed near the Roadrunner and further south at 9A

Two kettles formed over the solar field. Check it out in the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXZ_CGKweWw

Evening Watch:
A few Swainson's came in at 6:30P. At 7:05P around 45 flew into the Date Garden. Additionally at least 13 SW's settled into Ellis Farm.

Prediction:
Looks like another morning with calm wind tomorrow. Around 60 Swainson's are in the Date Farm and Ellis Farm

Where and When:
Best spots to begin to look for lift off are at the evening site on Borrego Valley Rd. Today we moved north on Borrego Valley Rd and watched a few nice kettles over the solar field. Also we had great looks at hawks moving across Borrego Valley Rd headed east. Figure on lift off between 8 and 8:45A.

A shot above the solar field-3/29/13

Another slow day-No Migrants-3/28/13

Leader:

Joe Hopkins

Assisted by:

Hal Cohen

Migration Today:

Swainson's Hawks-0

Discussion:

No migrants today. Partly cloudy with temps rising to mid 80's. Wind was very light WNW. This is the first March 28th in 11 years without a migrant. One encouraging find however were several Grey Bird Grasshoppers. This may lead to some ground feeding Swainson's activity. We can only speculate as to the whereabouts of the Swainson's. Each evening we wait for a tornado of hawks to descend into the valley. Several questions have been asked lately about the migration of Swainson's Hawks.

Question:

Where do the Swainson's Hawk spend the winter? Where do Swainson's Hawks breed? Below are two maps that help answer these questions. The first map shows the location of 30 hawks that were outfitted with satellite tracking devices. Each blip below is color coded for particular hawks. The data is from USGS, Snake River Station. The second map shows the breeding range of the Swainson's Hawks. 

Evening Watch:

53 Swainson's dropped into the Date Farm this evening. 

Prediction:

The wind hopefully will be light tomorrow morning. At least 53 Swainson's will kettle up from the Date Farm.

Where and When:

With a calm wind the SW's will most likely kettle up around 8-8:30A. If it is windy early, they will take off by 7-8A. Best place to view the hawks is from the evening site on Borrego Valley Rd and also from Di Giorgio Road about 1 mile north of Palm Canyon Drive. 

Map of  Swainson's Hawk Data

Breeding grounds of Swainson's in pink. 

Migration Slowed Down-March 27, 2013

Leader:
Laura Webb
Assisted by:
Rose Leong and Wes Hetrick

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-3

Discussion:
Sunny and pretty cloudy today with warming temperatures into the low 80's. Lift-off of the SW's at 8:35A. A lone bird in the field near the watch and 2 possibly from Ellis Farm.

Evening Watch:
Only 1 Swainson's was observed this evening touching down into the Date Farm.

Prediction:
Expectations are for very few if any Swainson's Hawks or TV's migrating tomorrow.

Beautiful Sunset-3/27/13-HC

March 26, 2013

Leader:
Steve Bier
Assisted By: Wes Hetrick and Rose Leong

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-42

Discussion:
A warm day from 60's into the 80's. We know that at least 16 Swainson's were roosting probably at Bill Wrights home next to The Springs RV park.

We have another youtube from Sicco Rood. This time you can see the Swainson's Hawks as they descend into Tamarisk trees along Henderson Canyon Rd on Saturday evening March 23th.
http://youtu.be/7Hqc1bD5mRc


Evening Watch:
A beautiful evening with a full moon. Hopefully hawks are flying in with the moon. Only 1 Swainson's and 12 TV's came in this evening.

Prediction:
Hopefully some SW's snuck in late. A few Swainson's will probably be observed. Windier conditions are expected tomorrow AM.

Adult light Intermediate Swainson's Hawk-3/26/13-HC

Some Swainson's moving today-March 25, 2013

Leader:
Hal Cohen
Assisted by: Wes Hetrick, Rose Leong, Richard Yates, Joe Hopkins

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-50

Discussion:
The sky was clear with temps ranging from 60's-70's. The wind was calm. Lift off from the Date Farm at 9:05A. Some of the SW's moved directly west and shortly after the first lift off around 40 SW's kettled up and streamed west. All of the TV's appeared to be locals.

Question: Why is the logo for Anza Borrego Foundation at the bottom? Our major sponsor is the Anza Borrego Foundation. They foundation supports the state park in many ways. We are part of the research wing. They help us with publication of the brochure and equipment.

Here is another look at the nice kettles on March 24  http://youtu.be/yq5aykgdtBg

Evening Watch:
A disappointing evening. At 5:30P a large stream of Swainson's was observed. They continued flying northwest and may have departed the valley. Estimates of around 70 in this group. Another small group came in (another 10 or more) and they flew out of the valley the same direction. It is possible that the birds will backtrack and roost for the night. We did not see them. Around 8-10 Swainson's did fly into the Date Farm.

Prediction:
Once again calm wind is predicted for tomorrow. We hope for the larger group to show up. Around 8 Swainson's are in the Date Farm

Where and When:
Check in at the day site on Di Giorgio Rd south of Henderson Canyon Rd. Scouts will hopefully find the Swainson's Hawks.

Swainson's Hawks sitting in the field adjacent to the solar field-3/24/13-HC

Amazing day for viewing-March 24, 2013

Leader:
Herb Stone
Assisted by: Judy Davis, Hal Cohen, Rose Leong, Wes Hetrick, Laura Webb, Steve Bier

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-379
Turkey Vultures-3

Discussion:
Warm with temperatures in the 70's and a clear sky. Calm wind with some light breezes. A remarkable day for viewing many aspects of Swainson's Hawk behavior. The hawks that flew in last night came down to the ground just after 6A today. Many flew into trees to the east of the day watch site. At least 75 SW's could be found sitting on the cleared ground near the Solar field. Lift off a 9:04A as more than a hundred SW's began to kettle close to the day site. Within a few minutes more than 200 hawks were kettling up and streaming back and forth. Watching from Henderson Canyon Road was mesmerizing. The hawks streamed to the northwest, kettled up at the mouth of Coyote Canyon and then disappeared. Another group of 15 SW's flew by at 10A.

Here is a link to a youtube of today's hawks. Youtube from today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le-si8ee3h4

Evening Watch:
At 6:30P a small kettle of Swainson's came in to roost at the back of the Date Farm. We counted around 35 hawks.

Prediction:
The wind should be calm to mild tomorrow AM. At least 35 Swainson's will leave the roost and migrate.

Where and When:
The best spot for viewing the hawks is probably Di Giorgio Rd directly across from the Date Farm. The hawks will be airborne between 8:15 and 9:15A.

I've included a look at two test shots of a morph study.

A growing kettle 3/24/13-HC

24 Swainson's-Looks like 10 light; 5 intermediate; 9 dark hawks-3/24/13-HC

Very close view-Looks like 4 light, 3 intermediate and 3 dark morphs-3/24/13-HC

                            

ALERT-Interesting Behavior Today-March 23, 2013

Leaders:
Rose Leong and Wes Hetrick
Assisted by: Steve Bier, Laura Webb, Hal Cohen

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawk-127
Turkey Vultures-26
Rough-legged Hawk-1
Osprey-1

Discussion:
The air was still early with no clouds. Temperatures ranged from low 70's-80. Most of the SW's were lined up in Tamarisk trees on Henderson Canyon Rd. Lift off from a few different roost areas including Ellis Farm, Date Farm and De Anza as well as Henderson. Lift off at 8:40A but not the usual kettling. Most of the hawks used powered flight to fly to Coyote Canyon. We never had the typical large kettles associated with lift off.

Evening Watch: ALERT
Counts ranging from 350 to 600 Swainson's this evening. They were almost directly over the day count site on Di Giorgio Rd. I watched over 75 stream into Coyote Canyon. The rest descended into Tamarisk trees west of Di Giorgio Rd and north of Henderson Canyon Rd.

Prediction:
Calm to light wind is predicted for tomorrow AM. The hawks will probably ring up and head toward Coyote Canyon.

Where and When:
It is best to come to the day site to find out the best place to watch the hawks. The number of hawks tomorrow will probably exceed 400. Many of the hawks are directly west of the count site. They will depart the valley between 8 and 9:30A

Coming into the Tamarisks-3/23/13-HC

Landing in the Tamarisks-3/23/13-HC

A few Swainson's Today-ALERT Tonight-March 22, 2013

Leaders:
Pam Albers, Rose Leong and Wes Hetrick

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-3

Discussion:
A quiet day with light wind and few hawks. Only 3 Swainson's observed at 9:05A.

Question:
Why Borrego Valley? We don't know for sure. We can only surmise based on the past. The Valley provides great roost sites, food in abundance some years and thermals, updrafts, and wave lift (all associated with open fields, asphalt and the mountain ranges. The air movement provides an elevator to higher altitude and a gliding range with low caloric use. Evidently, Borrego Valley has been a traditional staging area for Swainson's Hawks at least in recent history. We have records that date back to 1957.

Evening Watch:
This evening we had a group of around 30 Swainson's Hawks descend into the Date Farm at 6:30P. At 6:55P we watched a huge kettle of Swainson's Hawks low to the north dropping into Tamarisks near the day count site. Estimated of 120-150 hawks in this group

Prediction:
Tomorrow the wind should be very light to calm (hopefully). If so the 150-200 or more Swainson's will depart the valley between 8-9:15A. Because we have two groups at two locations you might want to go to the day count site on Di Giorgio Rd just south of Henderson Rd.

When and Where to Watch:
Additionally there should be good viewing of the Date Farm birds from both the evening site on Borrego Valley Rd. and Di Giorgio Rd near Big Horn.

Coming in to roost-3/22/13-HC

The first kettle of the evening-3/22/13

Some wind and early lift off-March 21, 2013

Leader:
Joe Hopkins
Assisted by: Pam Albers, Hal Cohen, Rose Leong, Wes Hetrick

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-176
Turkey Vultures-6
Unidentified Buteo-1

Discussion:
Some gusty wind early then settling down. Temperature range from 71-90. Becoming quite hot. A large kettle formed above the Date Farm at 7:25A. This group rose very high before disappearing to the southeast. Later these birds reappeared and moved out of the valley through Coyote Canyon.

Question?
Why are the hawks staying high instead of coming in to land on windy days? Our birds are "Wind Birds". They love wind and will stay up as long as they have some lift. Some studies also suggest that it takes more calories to sit and stay on a perch in the wind (constantly keeping steady) than kite and glide without flapping.

Evening Watch:
Not much happening this evening. 3 Swainson's and 19 TV's were observed.

Prediction:
Tomorrow hopefully will have some surprises however few birds came in this evening.

Where and When to Watch:
Check in at the day site with the sign below on Di Giorgio Rd south of Henderson Canyon. The leader will help you locate birds if they are present.

The Sign on Di Giorgio Rd

A TV on a dead coyote-3/21/13-HC

Watching the SW's early today take off-3/21/13-HC

A Few Hawks Today-March 20, 2013

Leader:
Laura Webb
Assisted by: Wes Hetrick, Rose Leong, Anne Reilly and Pam Albers

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-12

Discussion:
An overcast day with temps around 75-80 and a bit more humid. At 8:35A lift off was from the east, probably near the potato fields. Some of the SW's began to aerial feed on flying ants.

Evening Watch:
An early fly-in  at 5:30P as around 100 Swainson's Hawks showed up from the east. They remained airborne for at least 45 minutes before descending into the Date Farm.

Prediction:
Tomorrow once again the prediction is for strong NW wind. If this does happen, the hawks will probably be airborne by 6:30 or 7A. A strong westerly wind will blow them east before they leave the valley. We might be lucky and they will return to fields near Borrego Valley Road before flying out.

When and Where to Watch:
As indicted above, the wind might come into play tomorrow early. We will have the leader and scouts out around 6:30A or earlier. Yesterday the hawks did get up early but began to fly east before returning to the count area after 8A. Watching lift-off early from the night site would work if the sand from the new solar fields doesn't get in your eyes. Check in at the day site on Di Giorgio Rd to find out where to watch.

The group this evening watching-3/20/13

Little Dots this evening-3/20/13

Crazy Wind Day-March 19, 2013

Leader:
Steve Bier
Assisted by: Rose Leong, Joe Hopkins, Hal Cohen, Karin Vickars, Ann Riley

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-157
Turkey Vultures-14

Discussion:
A wild day with high wind from the northwest. Just after 6A at least 55 Swainson's departed the valley. Additionally around 100 SW's remained in the valley flying far east and reappearing to the west later. Many folks moved about looking for the birds and were rewarded with close views at times. Many hawks were sitting on the ground just off of Borrego Valley Rd. The second large kettle of hawks finally flew through Coyote Canyon and out of the valley.

So the beat goes on. The magic of March 19/20. Another triple digit day on one of these dates. That's 10 years in a row.

Below are photo's of the dump road sign (diagonal road leading to the potato fields). As the season progresses we might see more of the potato fields. Over 20 chemicals are poured into the potato fields to kill insects, fertilize, control weeds and defoliate the potato's at the end of the season. If you eat potato's, eat ORGANIC. Sprouts sells them sometimes at 50 cents a pound. We are concerned that the Swainson's Hawks might begin to spend time in the area of the potato fields, seeking dead and dying insects. We have had over 1,000 Swainson's Hawks in the fallow fields in the past.

Evening Watch:
Very few SW's were observed this evening, perhaps 5 at the Date Farm. Some hawks were spotted in a Tamarisk row east of the potato fields. It is possible that birds did come in but we missed them. Often hawks drop in very late and we can't see them.

Prediction:
The windy conditions are supposed to continue through tomorrow. If so, most hawks will depart very early. We will have scouts out looking for birds at the potato fields as well as at the Date Farm.

Where to Watch From:
Check in at the day count site located on Di Giorgio Rd south of Henderson Canyon Rd. The leader will be at the site by 8A.

The "Hill" watching to the east-3/19/13

5 Swainson's sitting in the field with old grape stakes in the background through a scope shot-3/19/13

Sign on Dump Road

The Dump on Dump Road

Agra-Empire Potato Field in Borrego Springs-3/19/13

Continued Good Swainson's Migration-3/18/13

Leader:

Bob Theriault

Assisted by Rose Leong, Richard Yates

Scouts: Hal Cohen, Joe Hopkins, Steve Bier

Migration Today:

Swainson's Hawks-221

Turkey Vultures-10

Discussion:

The weather was warm today-60-83 degrees. The largest kettle lifted off from the Date Farm and the Fun Farm. There were around 150 in the first group that moved a bit east before turning north and exciting at Coyote Canyon. At 10:20A 2 groups of SW's were spotted passing in front of Coyote Mountain. 

Evening Watch:

Shortly after 6PM a group of 27 Swainson's dropped into the Date Farm. Additionally a few more came in later. Totals of 30-35 Swainson's are roosting on the west side of the Date Farm. 

Prediction:

The wind hopefully will once again be light tomorrow morning. If so, the hawks will probably begin to kettle up between 8-9A.

Where to Watch:

Once again Di Giorgio Rd is the place to watch. Today the hawks did move north past the day count site. You might want to watch the hawks at the roost before driving north to intercept them at the day site.

First light on a tree with Sw's Hawks-3/18/13-HC

Same Tree a half hour later close up-How many Swainson's Hawks? 3/18/13-HC

Check out the eyes on this handsome bird-3/18/13-HC

Big Day Today-844 Swainson's Hawks-March 17, 2013

Leader:
Hal Cohen
Assisted by: Rose Leong, Laura Webb, Pam Albers and Joe Hopkins

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-844
TV's-3
Peregrine Falcon-1

Discussion:
On a clear day with warming temperatures into the 80's we watched lift off from the west side of the Date Farm at 6:35A. Two very large kettles of over 500 SW's finally came together as the hawks streamed north then northwest. They meandered about before departing the valley. We thought we were finished for the day when small kettles began to form from the south. We had kettles totaling almost 300 additional Swainson's leave through Coyote Canyon from 9-11A.

Evening Watch:
At 6:30P we spotted over 100 Swainson's Hawks and a few TV's high above the Date Farm. By 6:50P they had descended into the Eucalyptus in the Farm. One hundred might be the low count.

Prediction for Tomorrow:
Once again we are faced with a forecast of diminishing wind however it is tough to forecast the wind in a specific area of Borrego Valley or at a specific time. If the wind abates by 6A the hawks will stay put. If the wind continues beyond 6A, look for an early lift off. Expect more than 100 hawks to take flight.

Where to Watch:
Tomorrow a good place to watch lift off will once again be on Di Giorgio Rd and Big Horn and further north, including the Hill (official count site) just south of Henderson Canyon Rd. Look for cars on Di Giorgio.

A Stream of Swainson's Hawks above the Hawkwatch-3/17/13-HC

The Stream Beginning to Spin Creating a Kettle-3/17/13-HC

HAWK ALERT-Major Incoming Swainson's This Evening-March 16, 2013

Leader:
Pam Albers/Rose Leong
Asssisted by: Laura Webb and Hal Cohen

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-12
Turkey Vultures-1
Red-tailed Hawk-1

Discussion:
A warm day with temps rising to low 90's. A clear sky and light wind (a surprise). Nice close shots of Swainson's in trees. The hawks took off at 8:40A and moved northwest and apparently out of the valley through Coyote Canyon. If you would like to be on our ALERT system, send me your e-mail address. The ALERT will come directly to your inbox quicker than the blog.

Evening Watch: ALERT
Very windy and lots of blowing sand. We retreated to safe areas until at 6:40P a mass of Swainson's Hawks descended into the Date Farm. The first group had numbers exceeding 200. The second group another 100 or so. Hawks continued to drop down for another half hour. Many of the hawks took off and moved to new trees in the same region. With the continued wind they all may move before the night is over. We wouldn't be surprised if our numbers exceeded 400.

Prediction:
The weather forecast is for diminishing wind by morning (Hopefully!). If the wind does not continue through the night the hawks will probably not take off too early. However we will be out regardless to count them. The hawks could take off anywhere from first light to 9A. Let's hope for a calm morning.

Best place to watch the hawks will probably be from Di Giorgio Rd about 1.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Rd. We have noticed that the hawks take off from the Date Farm and proceed northwest. If this happens then a better place to observe them might be north of Big Horn on Di Giorgio Rd.

Swainson's Hawk Through Scope With Eyes Closed?-3/16/13-HC

Shot of Swainson's Hawk Taking Off-3/16/13-HC

Large Kettle This Evening-3/16/13-HC

Streaming to the Date Farm This Evening-Too Many to Count-3/16/13-HC

Great Kettles Today-March 15, 2013

Leader:
Joe Hopkins
Assisted by Rose Leong, Pam Albers, Herb Stone, Judy Davis, Hal Cohen

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-192
Turkey Vultures-2

Discussion:
A very late take off on a very hot calm wind day. At 9:50A kettles up to 50 began to form from a lift off at the Date Farm. The hawks tracked north and then northwest crossing Di Giorgio as several watchers had great looks. By 11A all the hawks had departed the valley.

Evening Watch:
Apparently there were no hawks this evening. The wind has picked up and a weather alert has been posted. Winds in excess of 30mph and gusts to 50 are predicted tonight into tomorrow AM.

Prediction:
At least 24 Swainson's were reported this evening. They landed in the Date Farm. One SW's was observed at Ellis Farm to the north of the evening site. It is possible that other SW's are at the Ellis Farm however the wind made it tough to observe this evening. Even with the hawks roosting, they probably would take off at first light. Unless there is a reversal of the forecast, expect few if any hawks in the morning. We have been fooled in the past. Rose and Pam will brave the wind tomorrow AM and will be at the hawkwatch.

Part of a large kettle-3/15/13-HC

One of a half dozen kettles-3/15/13-HC

HAWK ALERT-Around 200 Swainson's Hawks Tonight-March 14, 2013

Leader:
Bob Theriault
Assisted by: Rose Leong, Joe Hopkins and Hal Cohen
Visitors from: Baltimore, Maryland and Washington State.

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-38

Discussion:
Temperatures today reached 88 by 11A. The wind was calm. Once again the hawks roosted at the Date Farm and lifted off at 9:35A. They moved slowly to the northwest, taking more than an hour to complete the journey through Coyote Canyon.

Looking at previous years, the dates March 19 and March 20 come to mind. In the past 9 years we have had triple digit days for Swainson's Hawks every year during this two day period. March 19 had 7 triple digit days and March 20th had 4 triple digit days including 1,385 one day. Can we guarantee a triple digit day if you join us on March 19 and 20-probably.

Evening Watch:
At 5:40P around 200 Swainson's Hawks were spotted very high. They meandered around and finally descended onto the west side of the Date Farm. Estimates range from 160-225.

Prediction:
Winds should be calm tomorrow morning. At least 160 and probably more SW's will take off between 8:45 and 9:45A. Best viewing will be on Di Giorgio Rd between the RV Park and Big Horn.

Nice look at some SW's closeup today-3/14/13-HC

 

Part of the huge kettle we saw this evening-3/14/13-HC