Friday, February 27, 2015

Slow Down As March Approaches-February-21-February 27, 2015

Leaders:
Saturday Feb. 21-Joe
Sunday Feb 22-Laura
Monday Feb 23-Herb
Tuesday Feb 24-Steve
Wednesday Feb 25-Laura
Thursday Feb 26-Joe
Friday Feb. 27-Hal

Migration:
Feb 21-3 TV's; 1 Swainson's Hawk
Feb 22-0
Feb 23-1 TV; 27 SW's
Feb 24-16 TV's; 57 SW's
Feb 25-0
Feb 26-0
Feb 27-1 SW

Discussion:
So far our number of Swainson's Hawks observed in February has surpassed the average of 174. This year falls into the fourth spot among 12 years of observation. This month we have counted 224 Swainson's Hawks. Flowers continue to be blooming profusely throughout the valley. White-lined Sphinx Moth and Painted Lady Butterfly caterpillars are munching away at the flowers. We expect very windy conditions through Saturday morning. Rain is predicted for Sunday. Monday or Tuesday could produce a nice migration. Today we spotted a Red-shouldered Hawk and a White-tailed Kite.

WE NEED A NICE USED LARGE UMBRELLA-We are looking for a large used umbrella to use at the hawkwatch. Someone walked off with our old umbrella. We have one now that is moth eaten. Preferably one that can tilt for the angle of the sun would work. However any old umbrella would do.  Let me know if you have one tucked away in the garage, getting dusty. You can contact me at Raptorhal3@gmail.com

Evening Watch February 27:
It is very windy as I write this blog account. Twelve Swainson's came in this evening along with 9 Turkey Vultures. They were airborne when the watchers left as it became dark. '

Prediction for Saturday February 28:
With the very windy conditions, it is likely that all of the Swainson's and Turkey Vultures will be up and out of the valley early tomorrow.
Very Near the Hawkwatch-HC
Verbena, Sunflowers, Lupine and other species-HC
Painted Lady Butterfly
Painted Lady Caterpillars Everywhere-HC
Sunset at the Evening Watch Site-HC

Friday, February 20, 2015

Nice Migration Thursday February 19 and Light Migration February 20

Leaders:
Thursday February 19-Joe Hopkins
Friday February 20-Hal Cohen

Migration:
Thursday-82 Swainson's
Friday-8 Swainson's; 37 Turkey Vultures.

Discussion:
The Swainson's Hawks that roosted at the Date Farm separated into a few groups on Thursday. Some of the hawks descended into the fields. A few appeared to be feeding on caterpillars. Many of the SW's remained in the trees. They began to migrate after 9A. The majority of the SW's flew over Big Horn and DiGiorgio toward the west. On Friday only 8 SW's migrated along with 37 Turkey Vultures. We did have a Ferruginous Hawk roost nearby. Flowers continue to bloom in profusion, attracting White-lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillars.

Remember, you can subscribe to this blog at the bottom of page. Also, you can keep track of the hawks at Hawkcount.org-hit monthly and scroll down to Borrego Valley Hawkwatch. You can also be placed on the alert list if we see a bunch of hawks descending into the valley in the evening.

Evening Watch: Friday-No hawks reported.


Desert Lily
Yellow Color Morph of White-Lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar-2/20/15-HC
Green Morph-2/20/15-HC
Swainson's Hawks in Eucalyptus Tree-Count Them 2/19/15-HC
Light Intermediate SW-2/19/15-HC
Light Intermediate Joined By a Dark Morph SW-2/19/15-HC
Canadian Air Force Dropping Into Hawk Air Space-2/20/15-HC
Male and Female American Kestrel-2/20/15-HC

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

February 18, 2015-Nice Bunch of Swainson's Hawks Yesterday

Leaders:
February 15-Laura
February 16-Joe
February 17-Steve
February 18-Laura

Migration:
On Sunday Feb. 15-Laura had one lone Merlin migrate.
On Monday Feb 16-No migrants.
On Tuesday Feb 17-43 Swainson's Hawks migrated.
On Wednesday Feb 18-1 Swainson's Hawk and 3 Turkey Vultures

Discussion:
The season has gotten off to a decent beginning. The Swainson's Hawks on Tuesday gave us a very nice preview for the season. It appears that all of the hawks migrated through Coyote Canyon. Steve found some very interesting regurgitated castings from a Juvenile Redtailed Hawk. We finally have a great wildflower bloom and lots of caterpillars. Perhaps more SW's will be attracted to the caterpillars.

The blog will not be a daily event this season. I will send out alerts when we have a big migration into the valley. You can email me to be placed on the list.

Wildflowers DiGiorgio Rd-2/15/15-HC
California Primrose-HC
Caterpillar on Cal Primrose-HC
Redtail Casting and caterpillar-Steve Bier
Redtail Casting with caterpillar parts-Steve Bier
Turkey Vultures-2/17/15-HC
Swainson's Hawk-2/17/15-HC
Juvenile SW-2/17/15-HC
Dark Morph Swainson's Hawk 2/17/15-HC
Light Intermediate Morph Swinson's Hawk-2/17/15-HC