Mix of clouds and
sun, 64 degrees, easterly winds
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| Juvenile Broad-winged hawk |
It still was not the ideal
wind conditions, but what a difference today’s shift made in our total
count. As we approach the peak of
the Broadwing migration, you really have to make an effort to get up on the
mountain over the next couple of days….no excuses.
In yesterday’s entry, I
mentioned that the Northwest winds we had yesterday were exactly the opposite
of what would be considered ideal for Bear Mountain. Bearing testament to that principal was the fact that we had
a total of three migrating hawks yesterday. Today, the count totaled 230! While still considered a trickle of what it could be, it sure
was more exciting than three birds!
For the most part, it was Broadwings as expected….more than 200 of
them.
Sharp-shinned hawks, ospreys,
a stray Cooper’s hawk now and then, and several kestrels rounded out the
migrants moving past our position.
While some were really close and easily identified, some must be noted
from afar, and identification is often done by behavior and silhouette rather
than the more defining field marks.
For example, this “sharpie” is tagged as such because of his relatively
small head and long squared-off tail.
As he flied, the pattern is flap-flap-flap-flap-glide with the wing
beats often being so fast that they are difficult to count. A very similar Cooper’s hawk has a head
which sticks out beyond the leading edge of his wings and while having a
similar flight pattern, the wing beats are more deliberate and can usually be
easily counted.
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| Sharp-shinned hawk |
As with many other exercises
in observation, the more eyes the merrier. With more folks around to spot the distant birds and then
more minds to come to consensus as to what bird it was, the final counts are
more accurate and more easily justified.
This is “citizen science” at its best, and it’s a real joy to be able to
be a part of it.
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