Great Kettle Views Today-March 6, 2014-ALERT-Over 100 Swainson's landed in the Date Farm This Evening

Leader:
Herb, assisted by Rose, Judy, Joe, Hal and others

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-166
Turkey Vultures-11

Discussion:
Lift-off from the Date Farm at 8:45A but most of the hawks put down again on a Tamarisk line east of Big Horn. Around 105 birds were counted in the trees. A large kettle and smaller kettles formed by 9A. All of the hawks streamed north to Coyote Canyon. Check out the youtube at http://youtu.be/Q7tVjohOIdI
Eleven Turkey Vultures moved from the Date Farm heading northwest.

Evening Watch:
This evening over 100 Swainson's Hawk dropped into the date farm. They stayed high until darkness as the wind was blowing at 20mph.

Prediction:
Wind is expected to be around 6mph tomorrow morning. This may prompt the hawks to lift-off a bit early. If the wind picks up before sunup, the hawks could leave before 8A.

Nice Close View of SW's Today

Three Morphs-Light to the left, dark below and intermediate above

Perched Dark Morph SW

3 Dark Morphs

Nice Hawkwatch This Evening-ALERT- Wednesday March 5, 2014

Leader:
Laura, assisted by Joe and Rose

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-4

Discussion:
Partly cloudy sky (great hawkwatching sky) but few hawks today.

Evening Watch:
At 4:50P a large group of Swainson's Hawks descended into the Date Farm-around 100 SW's. At 5:10P a second group came in numbering around 80 SW's. Estimates of 180-250 SW's for tomorrow. This season we have had Swainson's fly in a bit early in the evening.. We can only speculate as to why. Perhaps the roosting area the previous night, in Mexico, has been compromised. The hawks may have to fly further north to roost. This would put them closer to Borrego Springs. Check out the youtube from this evening. http://youtu.be/IrRMJcbcT_s

Prediction:
Light wind to begin the day tomorrow. Lift-off between 8:20A and 9A. Why the earlier times. As the days proceed, daylight hours increase. The hawks are stimulated by light and air movement. The best viewing areas include about 1 mile north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd or at the day site on Digiorgio Rd, 2.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive. I will be on DiGiorgio Rd at the 1 mile mark for photography.

Looks Like a Hawk? This Evening

Great Sunset-3/5/14

8am    

Finally Some TV's Moving (Turkey Vultures)-March 4, 2014

Leader:
Steve, assisted by Rose and Joe

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-7
Turkey Vultures-46

Discussion:
Before 9A the Turkey Vultures lifted-off near the Roadrunner Club. Two Harriers were observed but did not migrate. The Swainson's Hawks lifted-off from a few different locations. A question came up concerning the "migratory bow." Below is a shot of a SW with wings set back, going into the wind. The wing shape provides lift with less resistance.

Evening Watch:
Only 4 Swainson's were observed coming in to roost.

Prediction:
Wind again tomorrow will be calm to light in the morning hours. Lift-off probably around 8:45-9A. Often in March we have incoming hawks from outlying roost locations. These hawks usually arrive around 10A.

Migratory Bow

Nice shot of a close SW-Courtesy of Frank Sterrett

The greeter at Hawk Hill

Great Hawk Day in Borrego Springs-351 Swainson's Hawks-March 3, 2014

Leader:
Hal assisted by Joe, Rose, and Richard

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-351
Turkey Vultures-14
Other Hawks observed but not migrating: 2 Red-Shouldered Hawks; 3 Red-tailed Hawks; 2 Kestrels; 1 Cooper's Hawk

Discussion:
Most of the SW's found yesterday evening roosted east of Borrego Valley Rd. They began to lift off at 8:45A. They crossed Borrego Valley Rd and landed in the Date Farm. At 9A the first wave of SW's lifted off (226) in this group. Calm wind with little lift prompted the hawks to kettle slowly up. A second group of 106 SW's began to kettle up at 9:15A. Hawks were streaming back and forth from kettle to kettle. By 9:30A all of the hawks moved north crossing directly above the hawkwatch. Additional SW's joined the large kettle. The Turkey Vultures probably roosted at Pekoff Farm. By 10A the Swainson's Hawks reached Coyote Canyon. You can access a SW youtube at http://youtu.be/B-QVFslVr5c

Evening Watch:
Five Swainson's Hawks flew into the Date Farm. No additional incoming hawks were observed. These may be hawks that have been in the area for a few days.

Prediction:
Calm wind to begin the day tomorrow. The SW's will probably depart around 9A. They may not migrate. Hopefully we will have some surprise hawk visitors from outlying roost sites.

Count Them-3/3/14

A Closer View 3/3/14

One of two Red-shouldered Hawks from the hawk watch-3/3/14

ALERT-200 Plus Swainson's Dropped in This Evening-March 2, 2014

Leader:
Rose Leong assisted by Joe Hopkins

Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks-7
Turkey Vultures-3

Discussion:
A few SW's lifted up after 9A followed by 5 probably from Pekoff Palm Farm.

Evening Watch:
At 3:45P we were alerted to high flying hawks above the Kingston Trio Concert at The Springs RV Park. We followed the Swainson's as they almost descended into the Roadrunner Club. They continued flying east, finally landing in Eucalyptus Trees directly east of the transformers on Borrego Valley Rd. They are about 1 mile north of Palm Canyon Rd on Borrego Valley Rd. They are about 1 mile east of the road. At least 175 were counted but estimates as high as 300 is possible. Some SW's landed in the trees frequented by Turkey Vultures along Palm Canyon Drive in the Roadrunner Club. http://youtu.be/uxb6zXVT-Hc Here is a second Youtube. http://youtu.be/51ymSGy_Fns

On March 3, 2011 we had 662 migrating Swainson's Hawks. The incoming hawks today are similar in behavior. On that date in 2011 the hawks came into town at 3:45P. They meandered about before settling down in De Anza. We had hawks at a few different locations. Tomorrow will be very interesting.

Prediction:
Wind should be light tomorrow early so the hawks will probably not leave early. Lift-off between 8:30 and 9AM. We will send out scouts to the last known location of the hawks. It is possible that hawks are in a few locations. Best viewing might be from Borrego Valley Rd about 1 mile north of Palm Canyon Drive. Look east to see if the hawks are still in the trees about 1 mile away.

Streaming Swainson's at Roadrunner Club-3/2/14

High Streaming-3/2/14

Low Streaming 3/2/14

Settling in to trees-3/2/14

Sunset 3/2/14

Leader:

Laura

Migration Today:

0

Discussion:

Continual drizzle on and off this morning. Although 11 Turkey Vultures were present, they probably are not migrants. 

Usually a few days after a storm we can expect some good Swainson's migration. Monday or Tuesday could be the time to watch. 

Evening Watch:

A very cool, cloudy evening. Three Swainson's Hawks came in at 5:15P to the Date Farm. A Red-tailed Hawk flew in with them. The RT is probably a resident. 

Prediction:

Wind will be calm to light tomorrow. Expect the Swainson's to take off around 9A from the Date Farm.

Rainbow from the Hawkwatch today-Laura Webb

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