Sadly, I didn't have time to charge it up, so I'll share this photo that a fellow watcher took:
We saw almost 300 of these broadwing hawks in the time we were on the mountain! Local birder Chet Gottfried took this pic with his Pentax and humongoolous lens. I wish he'd sent a pic of the view from Jack's Mtn into Ferguson Valley, because it was breathtaking.
I went with a few people from the bird club, including my atlassing pal Roana. We got there a little after 10 in the morning and stayed until about 1 p.m. It was freaking HOT out there--about 90 degrees with high humidity. We saw a ton of broadwings, plus a couple of ospreys and sharpies. The view was spectacular, and aside from the indignity (not to mention the whole germy thing) of having to pee in the woods, it was a really great way to spend a Sunday!
Ron Singer, the official counter at the site, said that was the best day so far this year, though he was expecting even MORE today and tomorrow. Amazing. I'd only ever gotten a glimpse at a broadwing back at Cape May last fall with the Flock, so to study these guys as they soared and kettled on the thermals of Jack's Mountain was really a treat.
13 comments:
How cool!!! I love hawks!
Looks like fun! I am no good at identifying hawks, but I can tell you that there is one that sits on the same wire every day when I drive to work.
That is beautiful!
We were out camping at a farm in Iowa over Labor Day weekend and I wished I had my bird book with me. We saw 4 or 5 red-tailed hawks, and some smaller ones that might have been Cooper's Hawks. No golden eagles on this visit, but we've seen them there in the past.
I love reading about your birding adventures.
I'm going on my first hawk watch on the 20th. I surely hope it won't be 90 degrees!
Lucky YOU!! Aside from the heat and humidity, it sounds like a blast.
Totally cool. Thanks for sharing.
That is as good picture. I was up on Lake Superior and a Broadwing flew right below us got really good looks at the Tail and wings. Then we went down to Duluth and upto Hawk ridge there were more Broadwings there.
I enjoy peeing in the woods. It deters bears and raccoons! (Or so I tell myself.)
Must be something to see so many!
Fran--me too! They were just beautiful.
DCup--dangit, get a picture!
Bubs--glad you liked. Wow, nice--camping and birding!
NCMtnWoman--I hope it's nice and cool for you too! Take a chair, some sunblock, some snacks, and a lot of water!
Lynne--yeah, it was really cool to study them from underneath as they flew over. Their tails are beautiful.
Dr Monkey--I'm all about the sharing.
Rick--Chet's taken some really great photos. And the tail and wings are beautiful on these guys.
Earl--it's easier for guys!
Rabbits' Guy--there were times when we saw as many as 14 flying together. It was neat!
I've never been on an official hawkwatch count at a major site.-I did go to a hawkwatch not during peak migration at a kind of secondary location.-I plant to check one out this weekend.
Sounds like a fun day--well worth suffering the head/humidity factor and "rustic" restroooms.
You know in Harlingen that the Broadwings come through in hundreds of thousands. Talk about fantastic hawk watching. It was something to see and Santa Ana NWR would get 50 thousand plus. I miss the Valley.
Oh and you need to check out the Freshette.
http://www.freshette.com/
Happy trails.
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