Monday February 29, 2016-First Large Kettles of the Season

Leader:
Herb
Assistents:
Judy, Dick, Mel, Steve, Hal

Migrants:igration:
Swainson's Hawks-76
Turkey Vultures-

Discussion:
Calls this morning and yesterday evening indicated that several hawks were in town. This morning around 30 Swainson's Hawks were in fields to the north of the Date Farm. By 9A they were ringing up over the solar field. They eventually streamed northwest. They were visible from the count site but not as easy to observe as the old site. This could change as the season progresses. Scouts are definitely needed to get an accurate count. Check the youtube at https://youtu.be/WmGsqnYESK8

Evening Watch:
We had a few waves of Swainson's that came into the Date Farm and Roadrunner Club. About 40 plus hawks probably.

Prediction:
Tomorrow wind should be calm so lift-off should be around 9A. To be on the safe side come out by 8:30A. Borrego Valley Rd about 2 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive should be a good place to view the hawks when they take off.

Rufous Morph Swainson's Hawk-Courtesy of Matthew Binns