Very Windy and Few Hawks Migrating-Monday March 28, 2016

Leader:
Saturday March 26-Hal Cohen assisted by Austin Stokes, Wes Hetrick and Rose Leong
Sunday March 27-Hal Cohen assisted by Austin Stokes, Wes Hetrick and Rose Leong
Monday March 28-Judy Davis assisted by Herb Stone, Wes Hetrick and Austin Stokes

Migration:
Saturday March 26
     Swainson's Hawks-169
Sunday March 27
     Swainson's Hawks-9
Monday March 28
     Swainson's Hawks-18
     Turkey Vultures-5

Discussion:
As of today we have counted over 8,000 Swainson's Hawks that have migrated through Borrego Valley. This marks the second year since our inception, 2003,  that over 8,000 hawks have been tallied.
On March 27 we discovered hawks feeding along S22 at mile marker 30. They were again there this morning (March 28).We expected a lull and sure enough it has happened. Hawks were observed in several locations in the valley but not in great numbers. The wind on Monday has created havoc for both watchers and the hawks. We searched for hawks this evening (Monday) and found only one.

Below are some interesting shots taken of other raptor species seen in the valley recently. Also, check out the Swainson's Hawk with a snake at the evening site.

Locations:
I was asked for a map of the locations we mention in the blog. We will work on it. Here are the sites mentioned:
A. Evening Site-About 1.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on Borrego Valley Rd is the "Date Farm" The farm now called Evans Ranch is fronted by palm trees. There are dates in the middle. It's the Eucalyptus Trees that attract the hawks for roosting.
B. The Old Day Count Site-About 2.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd is the "Old Day Count Site". It's a mound on the east side of the road. It's a few hundred yards south of Henderson Canyon Rd.
C. The New Day Count Site-About 4.6 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd is the "New Day Count Site". It's at the end of the paved rd. However we are spending more time at the old site.
D. Potato Fields-Located east of Borrego Valley Rd/south of Henderson Canyon Rd for a few miles to the east. Some of the fields are fallow and some under production. There is a diagonal road just off of Henderson Canyon Rd. and east of Borrego Valley Rd. that runs along the potato fields. It becomes impassable after a quarter of a mile. The fields are to the south.
E. De Anza Country Club-Hawks are sometimes found in the country club. However most will feed to the east along Borrego Springs Rd. From Christmas Circle (in downtown Borrego Springs) drive about 2.5 miles north on Borrego Springs Rd. This is around 1/2 mile south of Henderson Canyon Rd.
F. Ellis Farm (now called West Coast Trees) is located on Borrego Valley Rd just south of Henderson Canyon Rd. It borders the Potato Fields. Often SW's roost in the tamarisk trees at Ellis.

 With each new post we will have a few questions that are often asked by visitors. Here are some:

1. Why do you count the hawks?
2. When do the Swainson's Hawks migrate?
3. Where do the hawks come from? Where are they going?
4. How far do they fly in a day?
5. Where do they spend the next night?
Answers next blog

Swainson's Hawk With Shovel-nosed Snake-Pete Sole

Swainson's Hawk Eating Snake-Pete Sole

Zone-tailed Hawk with Swainson's Hawk-Darren Dowell

Ferruginous Hawk-Hal Cohen

Prairie Falcon-Wes Hetrick

Hawks Are in Again-March 24, 2016

Leader:
Wes Hetrick assisted by Rose Leong and Hal Cohen

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-72
Turkey Vultures-9

Discussion:
Once again we had a count from the old site. Several small kettles formed near the Date Farm and to the east. We also had a visit from the Zone-tailed Hawk.

Evening Watch;
Around 200 hawks descended into the Date Farm and the potato fields. Most of the birds are east near the potato fields. They arrived later in the evening. The lull we expected did not materialize yet.

Prediction:
Wind should be light tomorrow so migration may start late-around 9a.m. Watch for kettles to form to the east and over the Date Farm. Best viewing probably from the old count site on DiGiorgio Rd south of Henderson Canyon Rd and possibly from Borrego Valley Rd.

Nice Kettle Forming

Swainson's Hawks on the Ground

Intermediate (rufous morph) Swainson's Hawk-Jim Morris

March 23, 2016-Nice lift-off from the De Anza area-113 Swainson's Hawks

Leader:
Laura Webb assisted by Wes Hetrick, Pam Albers, Hal Cohen

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-112
Turkey Vultures-5

Discussion:
Several hawks were on the ground just east of the community of De Anza. Most probably spent a few days eating caterpillars. Folks got great looks as the hawks formed several small kettles before departing the valley.

Evening Watch:
This evening only 25 new hawks were observed coming into the valley. A few are in the vicinity of the Date Farm. Tomorrow we will check to see if some hawks are still feeding near De Anza.

Prediction:
We do not expect a big migration tomorrow. Often after several days of many hawks we have a lull period. Hopefully the numbers will increase in a few days. Light wind tomorrow morning means a late takeoff. Migrating hawks tomorrow will probably leave after 9a.m.

Swainson's Hawk Against the Full Moon-HC

Siting SW Hawk-3/23/16-HC

Over 7,000 Swainson's Hawks In 15 Days! March 22-721 Sw's

Leader:
Steve Bier assisted by Hal Cohen, Wes Hetrick, Rose Leong

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-721
Turkey Vultures-14

Discussion:
At 6:35a a huge kettle formed near the date farm. Over 600 Sw's streamed past the old watch site. Additional hawks continued streaming through for half an hour. Several hawks were located near De Anza on the east side as well as over the golf course. Feeding continues in the De Anza area. Check out he amazing shot of the Raven harassing a juvenile hawk. Photos below thanks to Iris Kirkpatrick and Judy Davis.

Evening Watch:
It appears that no hawks arrived this evening. Wind gusts to 40mph may have hampered entrance to the valley. Around 100 hawks remain in the valley and may continue feeding tomorrow. They were last observed going to roost in tamarisk trees near the intersection of Henderson Canyon Rd and Borrego Springs Rd. Drive west from DiGiorgio Rd. about .5 miles. If they are not here try driving south on Borrego Springs Rd.

Prediction:
Wind to 7mph in the morning will probably get the hawks up early. Hopefully they will remain in the valley feeding on caterpillars.

Raven After Swainson's Hawk-Iris Kirkpatrick

Light Morph Swainson's Hawk-Judy Davis

March 20-21-Hawks Galore in Borrego Valley

Leader:
March 20-Hal Cohen assisted by Steve Bier, Don White, Laura Webb, and Rose Leong
March 21-Herb Stone, Judy Davis, Hal Cohen, Wes Hetrick, Pam Albers

Migration:
March 20-Swainson's Hawks-348; Turkey Vultures-13
March 21-Swainson's Hawks-336

Discussion:
Hawks moved in two directions on March 20. A line of SW's flew north in the eastern sector and west as well. Rarely do we get two migration paths in the same day. The old site had the advantage for counting.

March 21-Hawks were migrating before 8a.m. We counted from the old site today. For the past 3 days now we have used counts from the old site. Streams of hawks coming from the east continued for an hour. Feeding hawks were present near Borrego Valley Rd south of Henderson Canyon rd early and continued when we left the area. They might stay the day.  https://youtu.be/ZOKMqg5Zbn8

Evening Watch:
March 20-Hawks began to arrive after 5p.m. from the east. We had a few hundred hawks actively feeding near De Anza. See the youtube for a look at the hawks at 60X.  Shots below thanks to Ernie Cowan and Iris Kirkpatrick.

March 21-This evening a large kettle of hawks came in (around 130). Add this to birds still in the valley, around 200 hawks are present.

Prediction:
Tomorrow the wind we are now experiences may continue into the morning hours. If so hawks will fly at daybreak. We'll monitor the migration from around 6:30A.

Rufous Morph-Ernie Cowan

Dark Morph-Iris Kirkpatrick

They Just Keep Coming-Over 400 Migrant Swainson's Hawks Today-March 19, 2016

Leader:
Don White assisted by Rose Leong, Wes Hetrick, Pam Albers, Laura Webb and Hal Cohen

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-403

Discussion:
We are frustrated by the difficult count from the new hill when hawks are flying to the west. We had to use an auxiliary site near the old day site. The hawks are lost in the hillside to the west. More photographers are showing up almost on a daily basis. Thanks to James Morris and Iris Kirkpatrick for the shots below.

Evening Watch:
We had almost as many visitors as hawks this evening. I counted over 40 cars and a hundred folks, out to see the hawks. Some did get to see 150+ in a kettle. Unfortunately we lost sight of the large kettle. We did see 50 hawks drop into the Date Farm however.

Prediction:
Wind tomorrow should be light and increasing as the day progresses. The hawks will probably kettle up a bit earlier-8-8:30a.m. Best place to observe, probably from the old day site on DiGiorgio Rd. about 2.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive.

Adult Female Light Intermediate Morph Swainson's Hawk-James Morris

Watch Out-Light Morph Swainson's Hawk-Iris Kirkpatrick-appears to be aerial feeding on flying insects

March 16-18-2016-The Swainson's Hawks Keep Coming Through Town

Leader:
March 16-Laura Webb assisted by Wes Hetrick, Hal Cohen, Anne Rielly
March 17-Wes Hetrick assisted by Judy Davis, Laura Webb, Rose Leong
March 18-Rose Leong assisted by Hal Cohen, Wes Hetrick, Judy Davis, Pam Albers

Migration:
March 16-462 Swainson's Hawks
March 17-113 Swainson's; 11 Turkey Vultures
March 18-412 Swainson's Hawks

Discussion:
Continued caterpillars adds up to continuing hawks. Yesterday evening we had between 800 and 1,000 hawks on the ground and in the air. Today only 412 migrated. Our expectation for tonight through tomorrow are hundreds of hawks already in the valley and hopefully new birds arriving. Below is a site for the broadcast on CBS a few days ago.
http://www.cbs8.com/clip/12287397/hawk-migration-phenomenon-in-borrego-springs

Evening Watch:
Over 200 hawks are in again near the Date Farm. This might be a low count. There are probably a few hundred more.

Prediction:
Light wind tomorrow so hawks will probably descend into the fields off of Borrego Valley Rd. to feed. They will most likely migrate around 9a.m.

Light Morph Swainson's Hawk-Iris Kirkpatrick

Intermediate Morph Swainson's Hawk-Iris Kirkpatrick

Second Biggest Migration Day In Fourteen Years-1673 Swainson's Hawks

Leaders:
March 14-Wes Hetrick assisted by Rose Leong, Jerry Goldsmith and Ann Reilly
March 15-Steve Bier assisted by Wes Hetrick, Rose Leong, and Hal Cohen

Migration:
March 14-Swainson's Hawks 292; 1 Turkey Vulture
March 15-Swainson's Hawks 1,673; 6 Turkey Vultures

Discussion:
Yesterday of the hundreds of hawks in the valley only 292 migrated. The build up of Swainson's Hawks continued with a huge migration today, 1,673. Multiple kettles kept the counters busy. Almost all of the hawks flew past the day count site. Another large kettle of 118 moved through at 1p.m. CBS News came out to do a story on the hawks. It was aired at 5p.m. on channel 8. While doing the story the large kettle of 118 came through.

Evening Watch:
Although 150 Swainson's were observed from a distance, the roost site was not found. The SW's were primarily drifting about to the east near the potato fields.

Prediction:
Wind should be light tomorrow so lift-off in an unknown roosting area. So check in at the day count site at the end of DiGiorgio.

Light Morph Swainson's Hawk-HC

Rufous Morph (Intermediate)-HC

Watchers-HC

Today March 13, 2016 We Counted 1,407 Migrating Swainson's Hawks

Leader:
Hal Cohen assisted by Wes Hetrick, Rose Leong, MelHochhalter, Gary Hilton

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-1,407
Turkey Vultures-8

Discussion:
Hawks arose from several locations including Ocotillo Wells (alerted by Mark Jorgensen). At one point we counted over 700 hawks streaming past. We probably missed some as the hawks were everywhere.

Evening Watch:
From 4-7p.m. we watched hawks coming in, settling down and again rising up in huge kettles. We estimated more than 500 hawks are in. They have settled into the Date Farm for the night. Check out the youtube:   https://youtu.be/EVz1TvwClf8

Prediction: Wind tomorrow could get the hawks up early. They probably will go out to the fields near the Date Farm. They may come down near Borrego Valley Rd. Or they may to to the fields near DiGiorgio Rd. Check in at the evening site to see where the hawks are. Some will most likely migrate between 8 and 9a.m.

Female LIght Morph-Krisztina Scheeff

Evening Watch-Krisztina Scheeff

No Migrants Today March 12, 2016-Very Windy-However in the Evening-Hundreds of Hawks

Leader:
Rose Leong

Migration:
0

Discussion:
Very windy today with blowing sand. Lots of hawks but all feeding or hiding in the creosote bushes. No migration. Caterpillars are everywhere in the northern section of the valley. Check out the very unusual dark caterpillar below.

Evening Watch:
One of those magical evenings with action from 4:30p.m to 6p.m. Around 150 hawks on the ground and anywhere from 200-400 hawks in the air. At one time we had hawks in all directions and above. It was very difficult to count as hawks kept coming in to roost at the Date Farm.

Prediction:
Hopefully the wind will not be as strong tomorrow as today. Most of the hawks are roosting in the Date Farm. Additionally we believe several hawks are near the potato fields. We'll post a scout on Borrego Valley Rd and at the old day site on DiGiorgio Rd. We'll also have the leader at the new day site. If you are coming out, check in at the evening site on DiGiorgio Rd first. Because caterpillars are still in abundance, there is a chance that most of the hawks will descend into preferred feeding areas. It appears that a favorite feeding area is near the flower field on Henderson Rd. The area adjacent to the Date Farm also might be a feeding and staging site early in the morning. Check out the youtube of this evening. https://youtu.be/bDpGAgFM2cM

Homin Lim-3/12/16

Sand Storm on Henderson Canyon Rd. 3/12/16-HC

Light Morph SW-3/12/16-HC

Very Dark Caterpillar-3/12/16-HC

March 7-11, 2016-The Hawks Are Feeding in Great Numbers Still

Leaders:
March 7-Judy Davis
March 8-Steve Bier
March 9-Laura Webb
March 10-Wes Hetrick
March 11-Rose Leong

Migration:
March 7-4 Turkey Vultures
March 8-152 Swainson's Hawks
March 9-104 Swainson's Hawks
March 10-72 Swainson's Hawks
March 11-226 Swainson's Hawks 1 Turkey Vulture

Discussion:
The major flower bloom and incredible caterpillars has attracted hundreds of Swainson's Hawks. Today  (March 11) we witnessed several kettles of hawks arising from the flower fields and potato fields off of Henderson Canyon Rd. Over 400 Swainson's Hawks were in the air at the same time. Most returned to the fields to feed. It is possible that they will remain in the area. The count today included only those hawks that migrated. Check out the youtube of the caterpillar that is beginning to burrow into the sand to pupate. Also included is the life cycle of the White-lined Sphinx Moth. The second youtube is of part  of one kettle this morning.
Youtube-Caterpiller https://youtu.be/jxSYd_sSS38
Youtube-Swainson's Hawks https://youtu.be/Rw1UakCOEh4
Below is the life cycle of White-lined Sphinx Moths.

Evening Watch:
Before the rain came in-yes we do get some rain-actually a spit, we had around 300 Swainson's fly over us. It was so windy we had to evacuate the evening site. They were very high and disappeared into the rain. We are not sure where they have gone to roost.

Prediction:
Tomorrow the wind should be diminished and we believe most of the hawks will feed early before departing the valley. We are not sure of the location of the roost site. Caterpillars are everywhere in the valley. We will check likely roost sites early in the morning. You might want to check in with the main count site at the end of DiGiorgio Rd. to find out where the hawks are. I will return to Henderson Canyon Rd east of Borrego Valley Rd. I'll travel north on Borrego Valley Rd to Henderson Canyon searching for the hawks. Most likely departure time for the hawks-8a.m.-9:30a.m.

Life Cycle of White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hummingbird hawk-moth)

One of a few hundred Swainson's Hawks in the flower fields-March 11, 2016-HC

Homin Lim-HC

Swainson's Hawk-March 11, 2016-Homin Lim

March 3-6, 2016-The Hot Weather Has Departed-Swainson's Hawks Continue With Hopes for Rain On March 7

Leaders:
March 3-Wes
March 4-Rose
March 5-Hal
March 6-Wes

Migration:
March 3-Swainson's Hawks-67
March 4-Swainson's Hawks-27
March 5-Swainson's Hawks-22; 1 Turkey Vulture
March 6-Swainson's Hawks-317; 1 White-tailed Kite

Discussion:
March 3- We had some nice kettles form over the Date Farm. Of the hundred birds that were spotted on Wednesday evening, only 67 left. The evening of March 3 had 34 Swainson's Hawks. So the numbers add up. Check the March 3 youtube-https://youtu.be/oz5rovUK9cE
March 4-Some action as 27 Swainson's migrated
March 5-We had one nice kettle of 22 Swainson's Hawks and a lone Turkey Vulture migrate.

Evening Watch March 5-Over 200 Swainson's Hawks on the ground. Quite a sight.

March 6-A remarkable day with over 300 Swainson's migrating. Plus a White-tailed Kite. The evening of March 5th we found over 200 Swainson's on the ground between Borrego Valley Rd and DiGiorgio Rd. on Sunday March 6 we relocated the hawks early (6 a.m.). By 6:30 a.m. they were kettling up and out of the valley. The final count was well  317 SW's. Here are two youtubes from March 6. The first youtube-hawks on the ground https://youtu.be/pya42GDDvU4; the second-in flight before departure from the valley. https://youtu.be/HePRtoASTak

We now have counted a total of 588 Swainson's Hawks for the season. The first 6 days of March produced 488 SW's.

Evening Watch:
March 6-This evening we watched several Swainson's Hawks  from a distance near the potato fields to the northeast. They began to move west and finally several flew over the evening watchers to land in the Date Farm.

Prediction: There are at least 30 Swainson's Hawks in the Date Farm. There are around 20 or more hawks near the West Coast Tree Farm (new name for Elis Farm) and in the potato fields. Tomorrow if the wind diminishes the hawks will probably leave the roosts early to feed before departing the valley around 8A. Of course if it is windy the hawks could leave earlier. Best place to view hawks is at the evening site on Borrego Valley Rd.

Handsome Dark Swainson's Hawk in Roadrunner Club-March 3, 2016-HC

Intermediate Morph Swainson's Hawk March 6, 2016-Courtesy of Ly Dang

First Kettle of the Day-March 6, 2016-Courtesy of Ly Dang

March 6, 2016-Courtesy of Ly Dang

March 1 & 2, 2016-Hot-Steamy Hot Today-Nice Looks at Perched Hawks on March 1

Leader:

Steve-March 1; Laura March 2

Volunteers-Rose and Wes

Migration March 1:

Swainson's Hawks-47

Red-shouldered Hawk-1

Zone-tailed Hawk-1

Migration March 2:
Swainson's Hawks-10

Discussion:

Well I'm out of the loop-playing pickleball while a Zone-tailed Hawk flies by. Some good looks at perched hawks at the Roadrunner Club. From the hawkwatch site birds with at the limit of 20 power scope. Migration took place west up Palm Canyon. Flowers and White-lined Sphinx Moths continue in the valley. The heat-93 today and 95 tomorrow, should be over soon. We are expecting some rain on Sunday with temps in the 70's. This might produce a nice migration. 

Hawks were observed feeding in fields off of Borrego Valley Rd on March 2. 

Evening Watch:
This evening, March 2-Over 100 Swainson's Hawks have descended into the Roadrunner Club

Prediction:

Light wind is predicted for tomorrow, March 3. If so, lift off around 9A. Possibly earlier if there is some wind.

Swainson's Hawk in Eucalyptus-March 1, 2016-HC

Pouncing on a Caterpillar or?-3/1/16-HC

It appears that the SW went too far with the pounce-3/1/16-HC

White-Lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar-Steve Bier