Swainson's Hawks Over Borrego Valley 2010

March 10, 2010
Migration Today:
Turkey Vultures 1

Discussion: Very little migration on a very windy day again. Only 1 TV.

Evening Watch: At 4:30P at least 100 Swainson's descended into the date farm. Some of the hawks flew directly over the watchers. At least 20 TV's also landed in the date farm.

Below are photo's of a stream and a kettle of SW's. A question often asked is "when and how do you count the hawks." When only a few birds are present, it is easy. However when there are more than 20 it is best to wait until they stream in photo one. We might try and get estimates of a large kettle then wait for them to stream before making an accurate count. When the hawks rise as high as the bubble of warm air (a thermal) takes them, they begin to descend in the direction of migration (Northwest in our valley). We use a hand held counter and click the birds off. If we have a huge group, perhaps as many as 1,500, we might count in 5's or 10's. Sometimes we have several kettles at the same time. Then we have a few counts going on simultaneously.

Prediction: We should have light winds with a clear sky tomorrow morning. The 100 + Swainson's will probably kettle up between 8-9A. A good spot for observation will be the evening watch on Borrego Valley Rd. 1.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Rd. There probably will be aerial feeding as well. The recent rain and warmer temperatures tomorrow may stimulate ants to fly.

SW's Streaming

Kettle of SW's

March 9, 2010
Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks 216
Turkey Vultures 97
Red-tailed Hawk 1

Discussion: Last night winds picked up (30-40mph). At 5:45A today, almost all of the hawks and some TV's were ringing up. They began to stream west into a rainy front. By 6:30A the SW's returned east and settled down into Ellis Farm. The TV's continued migrating. The wind died down around 9:00A and the SW's departed the valley. Additional hawks streamed into the valley from the east at 10:00A.

The following question was asked today. "How are we doing versus previous years." I checked the data and it appears that we are doing pretty good, numbers wise. The average number of Swainson's Hawks observed through March 9 in the past 7 years, is 404. We have exceeded this number today. This year's SW count so far is 517. Is this important? Our biggest year for SW's was 2005 (552-through March 9). Our numbers so far are not far off the 2005 mark. There are many variables concerning the migration pattern of our Swainson's. Wind and food sources can influence the migration. All we can do is sample the migration through our valley and hope that Swainson's Hawks continue to fair well in their breeding grounds, migratory path and wintering area's

Evening Watch: Only 5 Turkey Vultures were observed coming to roost at the date farm. This is the 6P report. Hopefully some hawks will come in late.

Prediction: Unfortunately the windy conditions today, will continue through tomorrow. All migrants coming in tonight we be up and moving by dawn tomorrow.. The weather forecast indicates light wind for Wednesday. Hopefully we will get a migration tomorrow evening.

1st light at 5:45A Today, March 9, 2010 Swainson's ringing up in 40mph wind.

Additional SW's moving through at 10A March 9, 2010.
Great clouds for following high flyers.

March 8, 2010
Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks 18
Turkey Vultures 9
Red-tailed Hawks 2

Discussion: A blustery day with some sun and lots of cumulus clouds. Hawks were in flight before 7A. I received a phone call at 1P concerning 19 Swainson's Hawks sighted near Ocotillo Wells. We could not find these hawks but did see over 30 White Pelicans in the valley.

Evening Watch: A wonderful display of several behaviors associated with migration into the valley this evening. Turkey Vultures in at least 3 kettles floated around the Roadrunner Mobile Park, the date farm and east of Borrego Valley Rd. The best count was 52 TV's. At 5P a very low flying group of Swainson's Hawks flew from Ellis Farm to the date farm. These hawks began to ascend higher and spread out in the windy conditions. Many Swainson's came in from the east and south very low. Suddenly we spotted several very high SW's to the west. Swainson's continued to stream in low as we watched the high flyers. Counting was very difficult. At least 92 SW's were in the high group. The first low group had at least 35 hawks. Additionally 25 SW's continued to stream in as we counted high and medium birds. It appears that most of the SW's touched down in the back of the date farm on Borrego Valley Rd.

Prediction: The weather forecast for tomorrow includes winds with gusts to 30-mph in the morning. The 150+ Swainson's will probably be on the move at first light. By 7A these hawks may be out of the valley. If we are lucky and the wind holds off, the hawks may hang around until 9A. I'll be out at first light tomorrow. A good vantage point for close viewing will probably be at the evening watch site on Borrego Valley Rd, 1.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Rd. You can always check in at the day count site on DiGiorgio Rd to see what is happening. The windy conditions are supposed to persist through Wednesday. Windy conditions often bring in more birds. So tomorrow evening could be interesting.

A low flying SW with a nice pink cloud in the background. 3/8/2010

One of several TV's near the Roadrunner Mobile Park. 3/8/2010

March 7, 2010
Migration Today:
No Migration Today-Watch rained out

Discussion: It rained most of the day and it appears that the 18 Swainson's spotted yesterday evening are still in the valley. 4 TV's were observed as well. Two TV's at the fun farm (Bill Wrights driveway) and 2 at Ellis Farm.

Below is a shot of the fog in the background today with five SW's.

Evening Watch: At least 2 of the TV's and 10 SW's were located this evening.

Prediction: Tomorrow it should be partly cloudy and warmer with some wind. The SW's may move early if it is windy. The best location to catch them kettling up is about one mile north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd. You can always check in at the hawkwatch on DiGiorgio Rd (2.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd.) for the best information about the hawks. The storm probably stalled the migration south of us as well. Monday or Tuesday evening may bring in some hawks.

The Borrego Springs Swainsons. Their game is basketball.

March 6, 2010
Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks 9
Turkey Vultures 3

Discussion: Partly sunny, calm wind, high clouds. SW's were perched in Tamarisks along Borrego Valley Rd at Ellis Farm. Evidently there was another roost site behind us, north of Henderson. Lift-off began north of the watch at 8:45A. These two Swainson's began to aerial feed. Fifteen minutes later the Ellis SW's began to aerial feed. We enjoyed an hour of feeding above us as flying ants ascended. Below are some photo's taken today of aerial feeding. The first photo shows the silhouette of a SW rearing up to pounce on ants. In the second photo the SW is reaching out for the capture. A Merlin spent some time next to the watch perched in a Tamarisk tree.

Evening Watch: It was very windy with blowing sand this evening. Fifteen Swainson's Hawks descended into the date farm along with two TV's. Additionally four TV's dropped into Ellis Farm.

Predictions: We expect some rain tonight through tomorrow. If during the day the sun comes out, the Swainson's Hawks will probably become active. Numbers beyond 15 are likely. With the shake-up in the weather, migration should pick up in the next few days. Rain and warmer weather during the week will stimulate more ant flights. Caterpillars are on the way. A few small White-lined Sphinx moths have already been observed feeding on the abundance of wildflowers in the valley.

Rearing up for an ant capture

Pouncing on the ants

March 5, 2010
Swainson's Hawks 9
Turkey Vultures 54

Discussion: Lift-off of TV's at 8:20A on a sunny, clear, calm day. Swainson's Hawks departed the valley separately including the electrifying one illustrated below. A kettle of 35 TV's came through at 10:30A. The TV's probably roosted an hour outside of the valley last night.

Evening Watch: Seven Swainson's Hawks dropped straight down into Ellis Farm on Borrego Valley Rd. Hopefully we missed others that might be there as well.

Predictions: Light winds will give way to a blustery, rainy afternoon. Look for the SW's kettling up near Henderson Rd and Borrego Valley Rd. Rain on Sunday. Monday evening might bring in more Swainson's.

High-Voltage Swainson's, March 5, 2010

March 4, 2010
Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks 144
Turkey Vultures 39

Discussion: An eventful morning that started at 6:15A. The first photo below was taken at 6:15A at first good light. Notice the streamlined swept-back posture.The SW's that had roosted near the Springs RV Park were already up and moving when I arrived.

The wind was blowing at 20-mph from the west and the SW's headed Northwest. Over 130 SW's began to stream. Within a few minutes, most turned and began to descend into a line of Tamarisks near DiGiorgio Rd. By 7:00A almost all of the hawks had settled into the trees (2nd and third photo below-only a portion of the tree line covered with hawks).

More than 40 hawks continued to move very high toward the NW. Turkey Vultures flew at tree-top level to the Northwest. At 8:45A the SW's began to kettle up and moved out of the valley. Several late comers moved through after 9A.

The alert worked as several folks came out to watch the spectacle.

Evening Watch: 18 TV's came into the valley and are roosting at an undetermined site. No Swainson's tonight.

Predictions: Light winds are predicted for tomorrow. Lift-off of the TV's will probably be around 9A. Hopefully we will have some surprise SW's as well.

Swainson's at 6:15A Thursday, March 4, 2010

SW's on near DiGiorgio Rd at 7A March 4

SW's close-up on DiGiorgio March 4

Morning Watch March 3, 2010-A mix of SW's and TV's

March 3, 2010
Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks 44
Turkey Vultures 18
Red-shouldered Hawk 1

Discussion: An interesting day as hawks and vultures came up from a few roost sites. At 8:45A, seven Swainson's Hawks kettled up from Ellis Farm and began to feed before departing the valley to the north. At 9A, several SW's began to kettle from the western end of the date farm. Turkey Vultures begin to rise at 9:20A, probably from Roadrunner Mobile Park. After 10A an additional group of TV's came up from Ellis Farm. Above is a shot of a mixed TV and SW kettle today.

Evening Watch: At 4:30P a large kettle of Swainson's Hawks was observed flying high and west. The kettle spent the next 1-1/2 hours meandering around the valley before settling into the Springs RV Park on DiGiorgio Rd. A high count of 133 is probably on the low side. Additionally 19 TV's settled into the date farm.

Predictions: If it is windy in the morning, the hawks will kettle up early (7A). If it calms down, they will leave the roost between 8A and 9A. Unfortunately, it looks like a windy forecast. Best viewing would be about 3/4 mile north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd. Don't enter the RV park. Go north of the park.

A small piece of the very high Swainson's Hawks
in the evening March 3, 2010

March 2, 2010
Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks 10
TV's 4

Discussion: The day began with a partly cloudy sky and light wind from the SW. Swainson's Hawks were visible in trees south of the watch near DiGiorgio Rd before taking off at 9A. For an hour the SW's continued to aerial feed on flying ants. Eventually they flew directly over the watch and continued to feed, as illustrated in the last photo below. Someone asked about the photographic equipment used for the photo's. I gave up all of my Nikon camera's and lenses (not digital) a few years ago. All of the photo's below were taken with a simple Panasonic Lumix 18X Digital set at 23X optical. Sorry nothing is?tack?sharp but this little camera works well for documentation. The hawk below searched and caught a flying ant (last photo). Another question asked. How big are the ants? With wings, about 12-15 mm or a little over 1/2 inch. Perhaps the hawks select copulating ants, getting 2 for the price of 1 (this is not a joke).

Evening Watch: An eventful evening with both incoming TV's and SW's. Five Swainson's Hawks came in to roost early in the evening. At 5P we spotted a large kettle of Swainson's to the west. For 45 minutes the group meandered about the valley. Some descended into the back of the date farm. Others may have touched down near DiGiorgio Rd. Totals included at least 35 Swainson's and 12 TV's.

Predictions: At least 35 Swainson's Hawks were counted this evening. Often this number is low as some birds come in very late. Tomorrow we should see a nice lift-off. If it is windy, the hawks will be up by 8A. Aerial feeding is a good possibility. If you are looking for a good photo opportunity we suggest checking in at the day watch site (2.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive, on DiGiorgio Rd). Big Horn and DiGiorgio Rd is usually a good place to view the hawks.

Swainson's Hawk, 2 March 2010

The Same Hawk

Pouncing, on an ant? Ants?

March 1, 2010
Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks 2
Turkey Vultures 5

Discussion: Weather continues to be mild with light wind. At 9A the TV's began to lift off followed by the SW's.

An interesting note came in from Friends of the Swainson's Hawks in the Central Valley of California. They have had very few hawks returning to nesting areas. Many of the birds that pass through Borrego Valley are on their way to Central Valley. Perhaps our birds have not arrived yet.

Evening Watch: We had a very small drop in at 5:15P of at least 6 Swainson's Hawks. They are probably roosting near DiGiorgio Rd and Big Horn. Additionally 2 other SW's were spotted. From past experience we often see more leaving the valley the following day than counted the evening before. Additionally 4 TV's were spotted coming to roost.

Predictions:
At least 7, perhaps more will show up tomorrow. Hope for more.

February 28, 2010
Migration Today:
Turkey Vultures 4
Cooper's Hawks 2

Totals for February 2010
Swainson's Hawks 46 (The average for the past 6 years in February is 201)
Turkey Vultures 341 (The average for the past 6 years in February is 331)
Red-tailed Hawks 5
Cooper's Hawks 4

Discussion:
The number of SW's for this February falls well below the average for the past 6 years. Turkey Vultures exceeded the average for February. We are looking forward to March with hopes for a good migration.

Not much action today but great weather in the mid 60's sunny and calm winds. The Vultures lifted off from the date farm at 8:55A.

Evening Watch:
Only 1 TV came in to roost at Ellis Farm.

Prediction:
We don't expect much migration tomorrow but March is here, our best month.

February 27, 2010
Migration Today:
Turkey Vultures 12
Swainson's Hawks 2

Discussion: A rainy/sunny day but with a little migration. In the past this kind of weather often brings in some hawks. Tomorrow will be interesting. A summary of the month will be out tomorrow. Unless we have a productive day tomorrow, the number of Swainson's Hawks will be the second lowest in 7 years.

Evening Watch: With wind and some drizzle a group of unknown raptors was observed over the date farm. Perhaps we'll get a surprise tomorrow.

Predictions: The rain and wind should die down tonight. We hope for a migration tomorrow.

February 26, 2010
Migration Today:
Turkey Vultures 11
Unidentified Raptors 4

Discussion:
Lots of nice high clouds today with temps in the upper 50's. Winds were light. The TV's roosted in the Date Farm. Four unidentified raptors were far off to the west.

I have received a few questions concerning photo's and the term "streaming". Below are two photographs of streaming birds, one of Swaison's Hawks and one of Turkey Vultures. It is easy to track down the kettles as they form and drive below them for photography.

Kettle of Streaming Swainson's from perhaps a mile away

Streaming Turkey Vultures

Streaming refers to all the birds in a group spreading out and moving in the same direction. Counting hawks is not difficult when they begin to stream.

Evening Watch: Two TV's and one SW flew into the date farm.

Predictions: Rain is expected tomorrow with winds approaching 40-mph. Often this kind of weather brings in Swainson's and TV's in the evening.

Swainson's Hawks beginning to feed on ants

February 25, 2010
Migration Today:
Swainson's Hawks 24
TV's 15
Cooper's Hawks 2

Discussion: A beautiful day in the valley. No wind, 70 degrees and some migration. Sorry to hear about all the weather in the midwest and east. Yesterday evening we did have 4 SW's come in to roost. Today 8 SW's were located on DiGiorgio Rd near Big Horn. By 9A several SW's began to thermal up near Pecoff Farm. As some of these hawks started aerial feeding on flying ants, several other SW's joined them. A total of 19 SW's were counted feeding together.

Evening Watch: 9 TV's dropped into the date farm at 5:15P.

Predictions: No SW's were observed coming into the valley this evening. Hopefully we will be surprised with late comers.

Feeding behavior of Swainson's Hawks

Turkey Vultures in a tree
Roadrunner Mobile Home Park, Feb. 20
Hal Cohen photo

February 24, 2010

Migration Today:
10 TV's (Turkey Vultures)
3 Red-tailed Hawks

Discussion:
The migration of Swainson's has not picked up yet. The first wave may occur within the next few days. We have had some Turkey Vulture movement, with several roosting in the valley over the weekend.

Totals for the season thus far are:
Swainson's Hawks-20
Turkey Vultures-299
Red-tailed Hawks-5

You can access our daily counts at Hawkcount.org. This site provides information concerning most hawkwatching sites in North America. Scroll to Borrego Valley to see our totals from 2003-2010.

Evening Watch:
This evening 12 TV's came in around 5:15P and probably settled into the back of the date farm.

Predictions:
A blustery weather pattern is shaping up for the weekend. Windy rainy weather usually brings in some migrants. Hopefully the wave of Swainson's will greet us sometime in the next few days.

75+ Turkey Vultures in a tree
Roadrunner Mobile Home Park, Feb. 20
Len Carpenter photo

February 19, 2010

Migration Today: No migration today

Discussion: This morning the wind drove the leaders off the newly groomed hill. No migrants were counted.

Evening Watch: Reports are coming in of up to 79 Turkey Vultures roosting at the Roadrunner Mobile Park.

Predictions: Rain is predicted for tomorrow morning. This will slow down any migration out of the valley. Often some Swainson's Hawks are in the valley when we see large numbers of TV's. It is possible that our first wave of Swainson's will show up in a few days. This weather pattern usually brings in the SW's.

February 17 — No birds were observed migrating February 15 and 16, the first two days of the hawkcount. However today, February 17, 23 Turkey Vultures (TV's) and one Swainson's Hawk (SW) migrated.

Discussion:
The adult SW below (all 3 photo's of the same hawk) was perched next to DiGiorgio Rd today. We had hoped this hawk would be joined by additional SW's. Twenty-three TV's migrated past the watch at 9:45A. The vultures came out of the date farm on Borrego Valley Rd. where they apparently roosted. Yesterday evening the TV's touched down in the Roadrunner Mobile Park. They may have moved just after dark or early AM today.

Evening Watch:
No raptors were observed coming in to roost this evening.

Predictions:
We do not expect much of a migration tomorrow. The warm weather will continue to dominate the valley. The temperature is approaching 80 with calm to light wind and no clouds. Most migration waves usually follow a shake up in the weather such as rain or wind. It is still very early in the season, but the first wave of Swainson's occurs a few days before and after February 25. Long range forecasts predict a front next Monday February 22nd.

Dark Morph Adult Swainson's Hawk in Tamarisk Tree on DiGiorgio Rd.

Keep Those ...

Eyes to the Sky!

Migrating Turkey Vultures

Hello Hawkwatchers:

Above is the first photo of the year of migrating Turkey Vultures taken at 8A today (3 February 2010). Over 30 TV's dropped into Eucalyptus trees at the Roadrunner Mobile Park yesterday evening. I checked for Swainson's Hawks in the area without success. The SW's are due soon as well.

While the hawkwatch officially starts February 15, the hawks don't watch the calendar.

During the past year several folks have shown interest in volunteering to help count the hawks. Now is the time to set up a day or days of the week to join the watch.

You do not have to be an experienced hawkwatcher to help (we need eyes). As a volunteer, you would get on the job training with the daily leader. So please let me know of your interest in helping – Raptorhal@cableusa.com.

We have leaders present at the watch 7 days a week 8A-11A. We also monitor incoming hawks every evening beginning one hour before sunset.

Of course, you do not have to volunteer to watch the migration. Join us anytime of the season, February 15-April 15. The peak migration occurs during the last 2 weeks of March.

The day site is located 2.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd. The evening site is located 1.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on Borrego Valley Rd.