RAIN Today-Wonderful RAIN-Even the Swainson's Enjoyed the RAIN-February 28, 2014

Leader:
Joe Hopkins assisted by Hal

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-12

Discussion:
It's raining as I write this post. It has been raining on and off all day. Joe watched 4 Swainson's perched near DiGiorgio Rd this morning. A few of the hawks stretched out during the rain, bathing in the trees. After 10A between rain showers, the SW's, joined by 8 others began to kettle up. They appeared to have migrated up Palm Canyon. Can the hawks migrate in the rain. Yes.

Here is the wrap up for February. We had 163 Swainson's Hawks-The average for the same period of time-Feb. 15-28 for the years 2004-2013 is 138 Swainson's Hawks. So we came in a bit higher. Of course March and early April provide the greatest number. We've had years with a low of 58 and as high as 333 in February.

Evening Watch:
Very Windy and lots of blowing sand this evening. I was worried about sandblasting so turned around before the hawk watch. Laura braved the elements and found no raptors this evening.

Prediction:
Although very windy and rainy there may be some Swainson's Hawks in town. The wind is supposed to calm down by day break. If we don't see any SW's or TV's in the morning, the evening tomorrow could be productive. The peak of migration is only a few weeks from now.

Joe watching hawks in trees (in the rain)

Looking West

Stretching to bathe during the rain

Very Windy Today-Hawks Left Early-February 27, 2014

Leader:
Joe Hopkins

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-16

Discussion:
Very Windy today and the hawks left early.

Evening Watch:
Again very windy. Nine Swainson's Hawks came in at 5P and landed in the Date Farm

Prediction:
Once again it will be windy tomorrow with rain likely. The 9 Swainson's Hawks will most likely depart the valley early.

What it looks like in a big wind-Lot's of high dots

Wednesday February 26, 2014-Very Windy This Evening-Catch Up Time

I have been in Yuma and Mexico for a few days so here is the catchup:

Migration-Monday Feb. 24-13 Swainson's Hawks

                 Tuesday Feb 25-9 Swainson's Hawks and 17 Turkey Vultures

Migration Today-Wednesday Feb 26, 2014

Swainson's Hawks-4

Discussion:

The Swainson's Hawks continue to trickle through. The total so far this season is:
Swainson's Hawks-135
Turkey Vultures-88
Unknown Raptors-1

Evening Watch:
Very windy this evening. At least 10 Turkey Vultures glided into the Roadrunner Club. At 5P 16 Swainson's descended into the Date Farm. The last 4 SW's remained aloft for some time before landing.

Prediction:
The wind this evening should abate by sunrise. If it is not windy tomorrow AM, the Swainson's Hawks will lift-off around 8:30-9A. Expect at least 16 SW's.

Four of the Sixteen SW's This Evening

Nice Lift-off Today-Our Biggest Number This Season-February 23, 2014

Leader:
Laura Webb
Assisted by Seldnen, Hal, Herb

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-49

Discussion:
Clear sky and temps in the 70's today. At 9AM 46 Swainson's Hawks lifted off from the Date Farm. We could not see these birds when they were perched. They must have been deep in the Eucalyptus Trees. The flew low tot he west before kettling up then streaming north and out Coyote Canyon. Three additional SW's joined them.

Evening Watch:
A pleasant evening with light wind. At 5:05P 8 Swainson's descended into the Date Farm. At least 4 other SW's joined them.They settled into very visible  Eucalyptus trees.

Prediction:
The wind should be calm tomorrow so expect lift-off around 9A. We should see at least 12 Swainson's take off. If the SW's repeat the flight pattern of today, the best viewing would be from DiGiorgio Rd around 1 mile north of Palm Canyon Drive.

How Many Swainson's Hawks in this Photo? 2/23/14

Our 2 local resident TV's-Often on DiGiogio Rd. 

Migration Perhaps Picking Up-Friday/Saturday February 21-22, 2014

Leader: Friday
Bob Theriault, assisted by Herb Stone

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-7
Turkey Vultures-11

Discussion:
Lift off at 9A low from Roadrunner Club. Six SW's flew low to Ellis Farm. From there they made their way to Coyote Canyon. At 9:45A 19 Turkey Vultures lifted off with 1 SW. The vultures landed in tamarisks south of the hawk site. Eleven TV's migrated near the hawk site, out Coyote Canyon.

A Merlin, Red-tailed Hawk were spotted today as well.

Evening Watch:
No apparent migration into the valley this evening.

Leader:Saturday
Laura Webb

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-2

Discussion:
Once again there was a fire along Borrego Springs Rd, just west of the Roadrunner Club. 2 Swainson's hawks were spotted near the smoke.

Evening Watch Saturday February 22:
Just got a report indicating that 46 Swainson's Hawks were in the Date Farm by 5PM.

Prediction:
Wind should be calm to very light tomorrow AM. Take off between 8:45 and 9A is likely from the Date Farm. Hopefully we will have a nice flight. Perhaps as many as 50 Swainson's.

Appears to be 34 Swainson's-So 50 Will Look Nice Tomorrow

8 am   



  

Migration Slow But Steady-Thursday February 20, 2014

Leader:
Herb Stone

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-5
Red-tailed Hawks-2
Turkey Vultures-2

Discussion:
Sunny and not as warm today-60's-high 70's. Wind was a steady south breeze with occasional gusts. Lift off of 4 Swainson's Hawks and 1 TV at 8:53A from the the Roadrunner Club. The raptors kettled up and streamed to smoke from a fire near DiGiorgio Rd. These raptors gained altitude and streamed north. At 9:00A a second group lifted off from the Date Farm. This group included 1 TV, 2 Redtails and one SW. They followed the same path as the first group.

Below is a set of photographs ("Borrego Skylines") inspired by Wes Hetrick and created by Geoff Stone (photographer and editor to fit into six panels) and place name editor Ana Barcelona. This is a work in progress and this initial outcome can be downloaded freely. It's  a great opportunity to become familiar with the place names of the surrounding landscape. When a watcher shouts out "several hawks above Hawk Ridge", you will be able to find the place on one of the panels. 

I will not be in town tomorrow and Saturday. The blog will continue late Saturday evening. 

Evening Watch:
This evening 7 Swainson's dropped into the Date Farm. 

Prediction: 
The wind will be calm to light tomorrow. Lift off from the Date Farm at 8:59A

Borrego Skylines

  

Another Hot Day in Borrego Springs-Only 2 Swainson's Hawks Migrating-February 19,2014

Leader:
Laura Webb

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-2

Discussion:
At 9A a light morph Swainson's Hawk took off from the Road Runner Club and moved north. A dark morph followed at 9:05A. Both hawks probably exited through Coyote Canyon.

I am posting the 3 morphs that frequent the hawk watch. Often we are asked what a morph is. A morph refers to genetic types rather than age groups. More later. Oh by the way, this shot was not manipulated like in photo shop. It was just a lucky shot.

Evening Watch:
At 5:35P a kettle of Turkey Vultures was spotted above the Date Farm. 3 Swainson's Hawks appeared to arrive with the TV's. The vultures moved back south probably roosting at the Road Runner Club. The SW's landed in the Date Farm.

Prediction:
The wind should be calm to light tomorrow morning. Once again Turkey Vultures have been observed coming in to roost. Apparently there is now an established group of TV's that remain in the valley. The TV's that are migrating usually appear around 9A and move toward Coyote Canyon. The Swainson's will probably depart the valley around 9A as well.

3 morphs-Upper Right-Light; Middle-Dark; Lower-Left Intermediate

A Little Cooler Today-Smoke Attracting the Swainson's Hawks-February 18, 2014

Leader:
Steve Bier
assisted by, Hal, Kalista and Marcy

Migration:
29 Swainson's Hawks
3 Turkey Vultures
1 Red-tailed Hawk

Discussion:
Still 80 degrees but not quite as hot as the past few days. Just before 9A we watched as a fire to the south produced quite a bit of smoke. We commented on the possibility of the SW's being attracted to the smoke. Why? Heat producing some lift, or burnt insects, snakes and rodents. Swainson's Hawks are attracted to any agricultural process. Tractors plowing, fires, and watering provide stimulus. At 8:55A we watched as several SW's began to ring up in the smoke. Another small group began to kettle in the smoke at 9:25A. All of the SW's migrated north through Coyote Canyon.

Evening Watch:
Only 2 Swainson's flew into the Date Farm this evening.

Prediction:
Not much to predict for tomorrow. Light winds are once again predicted. Expect the two SW's to take off around 9A.

Plume of Smoke Attracting Swainson's Hawks

Very Hot Day-No Wind-February 17, 2014

Leader:
Hal Cohen
Assisted by: Ken Okay, Marcy and Kalista

Migration Today:
10 Swainson's Hawks

Discussion:
At 9:05A 2 Swainson's Hawks flew low from the Date Farm continuing north and exiting by Coyote Canyon. They used very little glide, almost constantly flapping. This was unusual behavior. At 9:25A 8  SW's kettled up from the Date Farm. They behaved in a different manor. They exhibited typical kettling and gliding to exit the valley. This group included 3 adult light morphs, 2 dark morphs, an intermediate morph and 2 unidentified morphs.

Evening Watch:
Another fun evening as some Swainson's came in at 4:35P then a larger group at 5:10P. At least 30 and perhaps more SW's were counted. The hawks flew into the Date Farm again. It was windy, typical weather for good numbers dropping in.

Prediction: 
The weather forecast for tomorrow morning is warm with light wind. At least 30 and perhaps more Swainson's Hawks will begin to kettle up between 8:45 and 9:30A. Best place to view the hawks will be just past the fun farm on DiGiorgio Rd about 1.25 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive or the main hawk site 2.8 miles from Palm Canyon Drive on DiGirogio Rd

A Few Swainson's Hawks

Pleasant Evening With a Little Kettle of Swainson's Hawks-February 16, 2014

Leader:
Joe Hopkins

Migration Today:
0

Discussion:
Not much happening today at the hawk watch.

Evening Watch:
This evening we had a single Swainson's fly in and land at Ellis Farm at 5:05P. At 5:15P we watched a small kettle of Swainson's fly in from the south. Tommy Antel notified me of a few SW's moving down Montezuma Grade (highway leading into town). We counted 11 Swainson's Hawks in the small kettle. All 11 landed in the Date Farm.

Prediction:
Wind should be light tomorrow so expect the SW's to depart between 8:30A and 9:15A.

Sunset from the evening site

The view this evening of a few Swainson's Hawks coming in to the Date Farm

The 3 Swainson's Hawks Migrated Today-February 15, 2014

Leader:
Laura Webb

Migration Today:
3 Swainson's Hawks

Discussion:
The 3 SW's we observed yesterday evening migrated today. At 8A I checked out the Date Farm and one of the SW's took off and flew north to the solar fields then crossed Borrego Valley Rd and landed in Ellis Farm. Several Turkey Vultures that roosted at the Roadrunner were not spotted leaving the valley.

8

Turkey Vultures

am  

First Post of the 2014 Season-3 Swainson's Flew Into the Date Farm-February 14, 2014

At 5:05P today, 3 Swainson's Hawks flew into the Date Farm on Borrego Valley Rd. This is a good start of the season, which officially opens tomorrow. The official count site is 2.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd. We meet every day from 8-11A. Most flights take place between 8 and 9A. Weather tomorrow will be very hot-in the 90's. The count data is taken at this site.

The evening site is located on Borrego Valley Rd 1.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive. We meet about 1 hour before sunset every evening. We use the evening site to locate roosting hawks and vultures. We have had several hundred kettling hawks at the evening site.

If you would like to be placed on the alert system (an email that is sent out when we have hundreds of roosting Swainson's Hawks), let me know. I will place your email address on the alert. My email address is: Raptorhal3@gmail.com

3 Swainson's Hawks in Eucalyptus Tree in the Date Farm