Continuing Migration of Swainson's Hawks-March 7-11, 2018-ALERT-350-500 HAWKS IN TOWN

Leaders:
March 7-Herb Stone and Judy Davis
March 8-Herb Stone and Judy Davis
March 9-Laura Webb and Hal Cohen
March 10-Rose Leong
March 11-Hal Cohen Don White

Migration:
March 7-28 Swainson's Hawks
March 8-22 Swainson's Hawks; 9 Turkey Vultures; 1 Red-tailed Hawk
March 9-85 Swainson's Hawks; 9 Turkey Vultures
March 10-10 Swainson's Hawks
March 11-48 Swainson's Hawks

Discussion:
Although slow we are experiencing continued migration. On March 7th the hawks cooperated and flew directly over the old watch site. Roost sites for the 7th and 8th were the Date Farm and Roadrunner Club. March 9the was an interesting day. 24 Swainson's left early with some wind. At 8:30am a large kettle formed over the Date Farm. The hawks moved directly west and provided some good looks from DiGiorgio Rd and Big Horn. Several birds spent some time aerial feeding. We are not sure of the insect id. There is no apparent flying ant explosion. We had some nice small kettles on March 11.

Evening Watch-Sunday March 11, 2017:
This evening well over 350 Swainson's Hawks were spotted at 6:45pm. They apparently descended into the Date Farm-now called Evans Ranch.

Prediction-Monday March 12:
Light wind predicted to lift-off between 8:30 and 9:30am. Best views from the evening site on Borrego Valley and Digiorgio Rd near Big Horn. We should have some spectacular kettles.

Hundreds of Swainson's 3/11/18-HC

Another shot of Hundreds of Hawks-3/11/18-HC

SW-Barbara Barnes

A Wonderful Day For Viewing and Photography-March 6, 2018

Leader-Tuesday March 6, 2018
Laura Webb

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-187
Turkey Vultures-17

Discussion:
The number of hawks exceeded the prediction of yesterday evening. Several SW kettles formed from the Date Farm and an area to the south. Also several Turkey Vultures joined the hawks. I've been asked about evening and day numbers. In the evening we estimate the number of hawks flying in. We also establish the prime roost location. The evening estimate is wrong most of the time. Our count Monday evening was off quite a bit (120+observed in the evening). Often after the initial touch down there will be additional hawks, even after we have gone home. This morning I noticed hawks flying in from the east to join the prime group. There are often multiple roost sites in one evening. Today photographers got some great shots of perched birds along the road. Also the kettles and streaming hawks across DiGiorgio Rd were spectacular. The photos below are mine with a small Lumix camera. I am hoping that the number of photographers with real camera's and lenses out there today will share their shots.

I was also asked the question as to why so close this season. Last season we had an abundance of food available and the hawks spent most of there time foraging away from typical roost sites. When they finished feeding they retreated to nearby roosts. These roosts were a distance from the observers.

Evening Watch:
This evening only 8 Swainson's Hawks came in. Of course it's possible we missed some. They may have descended into the back of the Date Farm or the Roadrunner Club.

Prediction:
Wind should be light tomorrow so expect the hawks to kettle up between 8 and 9am.

Along Borrego Valley Rd-HC

Very Dark SW-HC

Another View-HC

A Kettle From a Distance-Light Morphs Showing Up and A TV-HC

Very Dark Morph-HC

Hawks Are Beginning to Show Up in Numbers

Leader:
February 26-Hal Cohen/Herb Stone/Judy Davis
February 27-Hal Cohen
February 28-No Count
March 1-Herb Stone/Judy Davis
March 2-Rose Leong
March 3-Rose Leong
March 4-Hal Cohen
March 5-Rose Leong

Migration:
February 26-63 Swainson's Hawks: 4 Turkey Vultures
February 27-0
February 28-No Count
March 1-52 Swainson's Hawks; 5 Turkey Vultures
March 2-15 Swainson's Hawks
March 3-0
March 4-0
March 5-23 Swainson's Hawks

Discussion:
The season started with a bang-63 SW's. Then we had a slow down for a few days and again a nice count. After a few 0 days we had a fair day then an evening with over 100 Swainson's Hawks. There are also several Turkey Vultures in town.

We are in need of good photos to display on the blog. Send me your photos.

Evening Watch:
This evening, March 5 we had a large kettle of hawks descend into the Date Farm. They remained in the air for almost half an hour to the delight of several onlookers. Some were observed in trees from the entrance to the farm. Over 100 hawks are now in the Date Farm after a great view of the incoming hawks.

Prediction:
Light wind is predicted for tomorrow March 6. Lift-off of probably a large kettle or 2 or 3 will take place between 8 and 9am. Best viewing probably from the evening site.

Watching The Swainson's Hawks-Very High-HC

5 Swainson's Settling In For the Night-HC

Begin the 2018 Season-February 27

We began the 2018 season on February 27. Sixty-three Swainson's Hawks were counted.

Adult Male Light Intermediate Morph Swainson's Hawk-HC

The End of the Season-April 4-10, 2017

Leader:
April 4-Hal/Judy
April 5-Laura
April 6-Hal
April 7-Judy/Herb
April 8-Laura
April 9-Herb/Judy
April 10-Herb/Judy

Migration:
April 4-5 SW's; 3 TV's
April 5-1 SW's; 1 TV
April 6-0
April 7-1 SW
April 8-1 TV; 1 Unidentified Raptor
April 9-0
April 10- 4 SW's; 1 TV

Discussion:
We decided to end the season early as we did not have enough leaders to cover the remaining days. Next season we hope to provide a stipend for an experienced hawk counter. We are dedicating this season to Steve Bier. For the past 7 years, Ranger Steve was an essential part of the hawkwatch. His knowledge of Borrego Valleys vast assemblage of plants and animals provided school children through adults with an endless stream of awareness. His quick wit, remarkable eyes, photo skills and knowledge of natural history were endless.

The final totals for the season:
Turkey Vultures-96-The lowest number in 15 years, well below the average
Ospreys-1
Cooper's Hawks-2
Red-shouldered Hawks-3
Swainson's Hawks-11,690-A record, overshadowing 2016's record season (8,917)
Ferruginous Hawks-1
Peregrine Falcon-1
Unknown Raptor-1
Total Raptors Counted: 11,795
Here are some photos of Swainson's Hawks and a charged up TV

Mac Stone

Hal Cohen-oh oh! Hot Feet Coming Soon

Daniel Garcia

Daniel Garcia

Larry Master

Larry Master

April 3, 2017 More Hawks in Town

Leader:
Herb/Judy

Migration:
Swainson's Hawks-12

Discussion:
Hawks were high after takeoff and difficult to follow.

Evening Watch:
At least 45 Swainson's Hawks flew in this evening. They remained in flight until 7:20pm. The flight took the hawks very far west before returning to the Date Farm. A few hundred ravens chased the hawks relentlessly.

Prediction:
Tomorrow (Tuesday April 4) wind should be light so lift-off around 8-9:30am. Best viewing probably from the evening watch on Borrego Valley Rd.

Juvenile Light Morph SW-Larry Master, www.masterimages.org

Adult Make Light Intermediate SW

March 30-April 2-Slow Migration But Still Some Hawks in Town

Leaders:
March 30-Hal
March 31-Hal
April 1-Laura
April 20-Herb and Judy

Migration:
March 30-0
March 31-1 Swainson's Hawk
April 1-3 Swainson's Hawks
April 2-100 Swainson's Hawks

Discussion:
On Sunday April 2 several hawks came up from the east and at least 10 from the date farm. All in all it was a good day for viewers.

On a sad note, one of our leaders died a few days ago. Ranger Steve Bier will always be remembered as the guy with the eyes. Steve had the ability to spot hawks without binocs when everyone scanned to find them with scopes and binocs. He will always be remembered for his knowledge of just about everything that moved in nature as well as flowers. This season is dedicated to Steve. We miss you.

Evening Watch:
This evening around 35 hawks were counted coming to the date farm. Hawks arriving now through the end of the season are probably coming from Argentina.

Prediction:
The fact that hawks are coming to the date farm, a return to the usual pattern, indicates that caterpillars are no longer in abundance. Tomorrow if the predicted wind arrives 12-15mph, the hawks will get up and leave between 7-9am.

A Swainson's with some caterpillars in the crop-Larry Master, www.masterimages.org.

Typical wing fold of a SW for a glide-Larry Master, www.masterimages.org.

Adult Light Morph SWLarry Master, www.masterimages.org.