Borrego Valley Hawkwatch: March 9-13, 2017 Interesting Migration

Leader:
March 9-Hal
March 10-Pam
March 11-Rose
March 12-Rose/Hal
March 13-Judy

Migration:
March 9-19 Swainson's Hawks
March 10-37 SW's
March 11-32 SW's
March 12-209 SW's
March 13-35 SW's

Discussion:
Although we have a steady migration, the numbers are still low for this time of the season. The weather could be a factor. Temperatures in the mid-90's with very little wind may be slowing migration. We do have caterpillars and some feeding behavior. Flowers are peaking and the bloom is perhaps the best in 30 years. Even with many weedy non-native plants the flowers are wonderful. Of course thousands of folks are pouring into town making driving difficult. The hawks are moving to locations far from the madding crowd.

Audubon Magazine is now in town. Mac Stone, the photographer has some of his shots below. Also, the Birding Festival will begin on Wednesday.

Evening Watch Monday March 13:

Prediction:
This evening at 5pm somewhere between 125 and 150 hawks appeared to the east. They settled down into the mesquite dunes. See the youtube: https://youtu.be/e7vk2O3lIVs
Tomorrow expect a slight breeze in the morning. Temperatures will remain in the middle 90's. The hawks probably will get up between 9 and 10a. Best viewing from Henderson Canyon Rd east of Borrego Valley Rd. This is at the flower fields. The hawks are to the south of Henderson Canyon Rd. You can view the hawks taking off from the evening site on Borrego Valley Rd 1.8 miles north of Palm Canyon. Then move to Henderson. Traffic coming into town could cause some backup.