Hazel Bazemore Hawk Watch

Corpus Christi, Texas (Nueces County)

All reports are posted daily to the following newsgroups: 
BirdHawk, TexBirds, BirdChat, TexasBirdChat
   

Dane's report:

Broadwings: 8516
Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Swainson's Hawk: 2
Red-shouldered Hawk: 1
Unid Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 5
Mississippi Kite: 8
White-tailed Kite: 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 126
Cooper's Hawk: 40
Unid Accipiter: 11
American Kestrel: 77
Peregrine Falcon: 16
Merlin: 7
Aplomado Falcon: 1
Unid Falcon: 1
Osprey: 6
Northern Harrier: 8

Total: 8829

Some of the backed-up Broadies made it to us. First White-tailed Kite of the season. Another Aplomado Falcon. Local Zone-tailed Hawk fly-by (next to a TV - nice for comparative purposes).

Awesome, simply awesome.

Hazel Rocks (with a capital 'R')...

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Thanks, Dane! Hey, practically no rain today! Well, That was a very welcome break, as was the flood of broadwings that came through right in the middle of the watch. We knew we'd get some today, the backlog will take some days to catch up again. Lorenzo looks like he's finally winding down in the "share the rain" mode. We're now looking forward to our first "real" cold front of the year ... assuming it makes it all the way down to us! That should roll through this weekend, and you know how good flights are after a cold front at Hazel ... yeah, baby! Hazel should really be rocking this week!

October 2, 2007:

Libby's report:

Broad-wings: 37802
Red-tail: 6
Swainson's: 32
Red-Shouldered: 1
Unid Buteo: 4
Turkey Vulture: 27
Black Vulture: 6
Mississippi Kite: 2
Sharp-shin: 93
Cooper's: 59
Unid Accipiter: 18
Am. Kestrel: 69
Peregrine: 29
Merlin: 3
Aplomado Falcon: 1
Unid Falcon: 3
Osprey: 8
N. Harrier: 12
Caracara: 1
Unid Raptor: 3

Total: 38179

So there they are! - at least some of the broadie "misses" were recovered today. Expected by those of us on the hill and dreaded by those who had to leave one day earlier. The bulk of the passage began around 12:30 and were through by 3:00. First "mega-kettle" in recent memory clicked in at over 20,000. Many thanks to our sacrificial lambs, Patty and Bill Beasley, who left to pick up food about 15 minutes before this group was spotted. Luckily a food shortage caused a phone call to the site from Patty and they were able to hop out at the drive-thru and catch 6,000 of the broadies from there. (I'm sure none of the on-lookers thought anything of it.)

As you can see, when we're short on broadwings we are constantly grabbing accips and falcons shooting by. How about another Aplomado?!! This is October diversity - never a dull moment - come see!

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Thanks, Libby!  

October 3, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 34,072
Red-tailed Hawks = 9
Swainson's Hawks = 14
Turkey Vultures = 50
Black Vultures = 5
Mississippi Kites = 3
Swallow-tailed Kite = 1
Sharps-shinned Hawks = 110
Cooper's Hawks = 58
Unknown Accips = 6
American Kestrels = 42
Peregrine Falcons = 4
Merlins = 7
Ospreys = 4
Northern Harriers = 10
Prairie Falcon = 1
White-tailed Hawk = 1
Zone-tailed Hawk = 1
Bald Eagles = 3
Unknown Raptors = 6
Ferruginous Hawk = 1
Total = 34,408

Without any doubt, these Birds and these numbers speak for themselves. With that said : 19 counted species. 6 dark-morph Broad-winged Hawks. 3 Bald Eagles - 1 adult and 2 immature Birds. Both immies gave us very nice looks. Dark-morph Broadies, Prairie Falcon, Ferruginous Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk. Does anyone sense a western theme?

And yes, we had some early western winds.

What more can we say? If you like Raptors (or Birds in general) - you may want to find your way to Hazel Bazemore County Park in the next day or two. Otherwise, we cannot be held liable for any of these awesome Birds that you miss.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to our volunteers and guests... And we want to say so long to our friend Peter Wilkinson. Peter is returning home to England after helping us for the past week. Gonna miss you Peter - and could you click 3 Sharpies, please?

Speaking of goodbyes: our Hawkwatching compatriot Peter Collins has also returned home (to Tuscon, AZ) ... miss ya already Peter. (Are there really any Birds in SE Arizona?)

To our numerous friends and fellow Bird lovers; Thank you, thank you, thank you...

Come on out and see us, because;

Hazel rocks....

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Thanks, Dane! I just love this time of year! Not only do we get to watch the peak broadwinged hawk passage, but the eagles and ferrugies start their passage southward through our watch site. The winds begin shifting more northerly as fronts start getting more serious. And did they ever come through! Not only the expected eagles and ferrugie, but more dark morph broadies ... a prairie falcon ... yep, we're into the western theme of the show now, and the broadies are still not done!  

October 4, 2007:

Broad-wings: 34674 (5 dark morphs)
Red-tail: 3
Swainson's: 9
Zone-tail: 1
Unid Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 26
Black Vulture: 1
Mississippi Kite: 6
Sharp-shin: 69
Cooper's: 43
Unid Accipiter: 8
Am. Kestrel: 55
Peregrine: 5
Merlin: 5
Prairie Falcon: 2
Osprey: 4
N. Harrier: 3
Unid Raptor: 2
>
Total: 34918  

October 5, 2007: 

Broad-wings: 33630
Red-tail: 2
Swainson's: 38
Harris' Hawk: 1
Unid Buteo: 1
Turkey Vulture: 53
Black Vulture: 6
Mississippi Kite: 3
Sharp-shin: 127
Cooper's: 90
Unid Accipiter: 20
Am. Kestrel: 47
Peregrine: 4
Merlin: 2
Unid Falcon: 1
Osprey: 11
N. Harrier: 6
Unid Raptor: 12

Total: 34054

And the hits just keep on coming.......

Awesome day! Broadies started near 11:00 and didn't quit until about 5:30. Getting respectable numbers of Swainson's and Turkey Vultures mixed in with the groups. The stars of the day must be the Accipiters. Wow. Over 100 Sharp-shins in the last 3 hours today - they were coming in streams and kettles. Lots of fun sorting those. Good escorts by our local Red-tails today and constant screams from the Red-shouldereds letting us know when the broadie kettles were coming.

Thanks to Bob, Jo, Jimmy, Mike, Karen, Steve & Linda today - we need all the extra eyes we can get during this time of the season.

See you all on the hill this weekend! - Libby  

October 6, 2007:

Broad-wings: 1020
Red-tail: 2
Swainson's: 10
Unid Buteo: 1
Turkey Vulture: 47
Black Vulture: 3
Mississippi Kite: 5
Sharp-shin: 88
Cooper's: 52
Unid Accipiter: 8
Am. Kestrel: 29
Peregrine: 9
Merlin: 1
Osprey: 20
N. Harrier: 4

Total: 1299 

October 7, 2007:

Broad-wings: 236
Red-shouldered: 1
Swainson's: 8
Unid Buteo: 3
Turkey Vulture: 41
Mississippi Kite: 2
Sharp-shin: 49
Cooper's: 57
Unid Accipiter: 13
Am. Kestrel: 23
Peregrine: 7
Merlin: 1
Prairie Falcon: 1
Osprey: 7
N. Harrier: 6
Unid Raptor: 2

Total: 457  

October 8, 2007:

Libby's report:

Broad-wings: 14
Red-tail: 1
Swainson's: 2
Zone-tail: 1
Unid Buteo: 1
Sharp-shin: 12
Cooper's: 15
Unid Accipiter: 2
Am. Kestrel: 3
Peregrine: 3
N. Harrier: 1
Unid Raptor: 4
>
Total: 59

A short day spent dodging rain storms - closed down at 2:00 when the holes between storms closed up. Not much in the way of raptor activity - While the accipiters dodged rain with us, the peregrines were seen flying straight through the drizzle. Another Zone-tailed was certainly the highlight. This is a different bird than the last "local" - three bands in the tail instead of two. The bird came over very low several times hunting in front and east of us.

More raptors on the way - come see!

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Thanks, Libby! Whew! We're catching up! Huge kudos and hugs to Libby. She is doing yeoman's work helping get the data caught up and to me. We're getting ahead of those pesky gremlins a little more each day! Don't let the low numbers worry ... there are still lots of raptors out there, and we're finally starting to get a cool tinge to the air. A real front is promised soon. Drier air and shifting winds are keeping us all on our toes, waiting for that first real blast of winter air to come in. Temps are abnormally high, still near 90 and will probably get up to low 90's next week if the local weather folks can be believed. (Yeah, my tongue is planted firmly in my cheek on that one!) My peregrines are arriving on Mustang; up to four now, and kestrels are popping up, too (winter residents). I just love fall!  

October 9, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 7445
Swainson's Hawks = 35
Unknown Buteo = 1
Turkey Vultures = 65
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 56
Cooper's Hawks = 48
Unknown Accips = 4
American Kestrels = 11
Peregrine Falcons = 2
Ospreys = 9
Northern Harriers = 8
White-tailed Hawk = 1
Unknown Raptors = 2
Total = 7687

Keep those Broad-winged Hawks coming! (Please)

We had a major flight of American White Pelicans: over 1 thousand Birds! Very cool...

Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks are in a daily battle - each species trying to outnumber the other. Way cool...

Excellent guests, and pretty nice weather... Plus some awesome Birds...

Come and see us, because Hazel rocks...

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Thanks, Dane! The pelicans, anhingas and wood storks have been great this year. Nice big flights interspersed with broadies and without. Another recurring event throughout the season are the close encounters assortments of raptors are engaging in with each other. Peregrines and redtails, whitetails and red-shouldered ... seems like everyone's taking turns at chasing somebody! Makes for lively views and discussions on the hill, let me tell ya!  

October 10, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 12,766
Swainson's Hawks = 49
Unknown Buteo = 1
Turkey Vultures = 92
Black Vultures = 8
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 90
Cooper's Hawks = 71
Unknown Accips = 3
American Kestrels = 67
Peregrine Falcons = 5
Ospreys = 8
Northern Harriers = 17
White-tailed Hawks = 2
Unknown Raptors = 2
Total = 13,181

Excellent day with very nice numbers and awesome diversity.

Hazel rocks....

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Thanks, Dane! And the broadies continue to come through ... now that the weather's clearing and systems are cooling up north (well, some of them, and yes, cooling might be a relative term!), the flights continue to make their way southward. This is one of those seasons where they're not going to ball up in six-figure kettles, thanks to Mother Nature optioning a kinder, gentler approach to fall this year. But that's okay, because the way I see it, that just gives us more days to enjoy four and five-figure flights! (You know there's always an up side to migration regardless of how the patterns work out each season, right? <grin!>). Get on out to the hill of your choice. The flights continue and will go on through December as the more northern species wend their ways towards their wintering grounds.   

October 11, 2007:

Libby's report:

Broad-wings: 6003 (1 dark)
Red-tail: 1
Swainson's: 31
Red-shouldered: 1
Turkey Vulture: 121
Black Vulture: 2
Sharp-shin: 78
Cooper's: 71
Unid Accipiter: 8
Am. Kestrel: 40
Peregrine: 5
Unid Falcon: 1
Osprey: 6
N. Harrier: 11
Bald Eagle: 2
Unid raptor: 6
>
Total: 6387
This superior day on the hill started with a bobcat siting down in the park! What a gorgeous creature and a great indicator that our park is in good health. Also a new dickie bird for our list and a hint we will see more relief from our Texas heat soon - seven Sandhill Cranes spotted over the park today.

A small liftoff started the Broadwings just before 10:00. They were steady throughout the day with our biggest kettles coming between noon and 5:00. Awesome spot by Dane on the first eagle of the day which was near a broad-wing kettle, but distant. Thanks to Bob who got him in the scope and got his white tail and head. Our next eagle was an immature that came northeast to southwest across the front - not too close but they're so humongous they don't have to come close.
As you can see our diversity is still at the top with accips and falcons keeping us busy between kettles. I feel (smell) more of the same along with more eagles and maybe more rarities to keep us jumping. If you don't come to the hill, you'll miss it!

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Thanks, Libby! Mid-fall is really when the diversity kicks in, as Libby notes, and it's one of the factors that makes this watch so unique and keeps us coming back for more. When the early season migrants pass most of their bulk through the watch, the mid to latter season species are just gearing up. Falcons, red-tails, eagles (we typically get both flavors each season), ferruginous, yes, even rough-legged from time to time. Used to be zone-tails were mid to latter watch species but their range changes now bring them over throughout the monitoring period. One of the many reasons the data collection is so important. Drop by Hawk Watch International's web site for more information on the massive ongoing Raptor Population Index study. We've been asked where all the data goes that is collected season after season. This is one of the major projects utilizing it and it's very critically needed research. Check it out.  

October 12, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 972
Red-tailed Hawk = 1
Swainson's Hawks = 6
Turkey Vultures = 117
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 46
Cooper's Hawks = 41
Unknown Accips = 6
American Kestrels = 21
Peregrine Falcons = 3
Ospreys = 7
Northern Harriers = 7
Zone-tailed Hawk = 1
Merlins = 2
Unknown Raptors = 4
Total = 1234

Zone-tailed Hawk was an adult. Tough skies, but still some nice Broad-winged movement.

Hazel rocks...

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Thanks, Dane! Okay, folks, thanks to Dane and Libby's herculean efforts, we're now caught back up on data! Thanks, guys, you're great! Joel's still beating off email gremlins, so if you haven't gotten a return from him lately, blame those pesky little beasties. <grin!>  

October 13, 2007: 

Libby's report:

Broad-wing: 8
Red-tail: 2
White-tail: 1
Turkey Vulture: 79
Mississippi Kite: 1
Sharp-shin: 2
Cooper's: 6
Am. Kestrel: 2
Peregrine: 2
Osprey: 4
N. Harrier: 2
Unid Raptor: 1

Total: 110

Well.......Huh???!!!???

What happened to our birds? I have no idea. We had absolutely perfect skies - white fluffy clouds, haze was on the low end of medium. After yesterday of scanning through heavy haze with no clouds and picking dots out of our "blue goo" skies we were excited by conditions today. But not many birds. Winds were not too strong - no rain in the area, so again, I have no idea what the raptors were doing - even our locals were rarely seen. One of those days when your counters are constantly telling themselves "negative data is important". We did really really good on "negative data" today.

Guess that means we'll get double the birds on Sunday.

How about that fairly late Mississippi Kite - this adult put on a nice show and was an exciting break from empty skies during the middle of the day.

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Thanks, Libby! Personally, I think the raptors were massing up and hiding out yesterday, trying to throw us all off! It was an absolutely picture perfect day, all right. Even the chocolate stayed cooler than usual - the breezes have a little more of that tinge of fall in them, and the cumies were so big and puffy, you could almost reach out, grab one and sail away for a little ride. As I look over the latest weather data, I see another cold front is wending its way towards us. We're not jumping for joy just yet. Not one front has hit us yet, mind you, just little side dribbles and outflows from their promises. We'll get one for real, one of these days; even the fronts are running late this season. In the meantime, we are now running above average in temperature for the fall, which is ironic, considering we had a cooler than usual spring and summer with all the rains from tropical systems east and west. Speaking of, some rain is expected over the next two days or so as the latest imitation of a front heads our way. Imitation for us, that is; doesn't look like it'll be any more successful getting to us than the last three, though it should make weather fabulously cool and nice north to the of us. We might get some more dry air out of it, with maybe a little wind shift to the north, and that would certainly be welcome. And the hawks will bottle up behind until the front line breaks, so flights will pick up a bit once the rains have cleared midweek. At any rate, the falcons ought to love it throughout the week. They seem to be getting used to coming through in the wake of (and sometimes during) the faux fronts' rains, <laugh!>. Yeah, Libby, I'm with you ... today should be a good day! 

October 14, 2007:

Libby's report:

Broad-wing: 2
Swainson's: 2
Unid Buteo: 1
Turkey Vulture: 434
Black Vulture: 2
Sharp-shin: 1
Cooper's: 1
Unid Accipiter: 2
Am. Kestrel: 1
Peregrine: 2
Osprey: 2
N. Harrier: 1

Total: 451

A very pleasant day on the Hill with temps in the 80's and cool breezes. The wind was however, a bit too strong from the southeast for our raptors today. Still, our first good size streams of Turkey Vultures started today with the largest being about 150 long. A relaxing day for your counters since we can count the Vultures five or six times before they get past us.

One of the Peregrines flew right down the 17th fairway today and spent almost two hours on the radio tower behind us. Great views for us and our visitors.

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Thanks, Libby! Hey, we don't want our counters to get too spoiled out there, but there's sure a lot to be said for finally getting a few relaxing days. The cooler breezes have really been wonderful.

October 15, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 14
Red-tailed Hawk = 1
Swainson's Hawks = 3
Turkey Vultures = 113
Black Vultures = 4
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 2
Cooper's Hawks = 3
Peregrine Falcons = 2
Total = 142

Consistently strong south to southeast winds are thwarting our fun at Hazel Bazemore. Birds are going west of us, and we need the winds to change. However, any day with 2 Peregrines is a good day. There are still some Birds to be seen - we should never forget, that Hazel rocks....

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Thanks, Dane! Say, did you guys see Veracruz's numbers lately? They had a rolling good set of days October 11-14! (Thanks, Robert!!) Check out those Swainson's ... they just flooded through Veracruz the past four days! We know the rest of the broadies are scattered more than we'd like this season, and for us, Swainson's haven't been but even so, there are still more to come for that watch, at least. It's wonderful seeing the Swainson's numbers up so nicely, and to see those kinds of flights in the span of a few short days (900,000 and change, thank you very much), wow, that's just fun!   

October 16, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 28
Red-shouldered Hawk = 1
Unknown Buteo = 1
Turkey Vultures = 40
Black Vultures = 2
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 27
Cooper's Hawks = 10
Unknown Accips = 2
American Kestrels = 6
Peregrine Falcons = 5
Merlin = 1
Osprey = 1
Northern Harriers = 5
Harris's Hawk = 1
White-tailed Hawk = 1
Zone-tailed Hawk = 1
Unknown Raptor = 1
Total = 133

No big numbers perhaps, but classic Hazel diversity.

Zone-tailed was an adult, and wowed us by flying no more than 50 feet overhead. What a beauty! This is definitely the year of the Zone-tailed Hawk at Hazel Bazemore. Awesome, simply awesome.

So, an adult Peregrine Falcon is resting on the cellphone tower. One of our local Red-shouldered Hawks (an adult Bird) flies by the tower, and issues a very antagonistic oral challenge. P-bird takes off and quickly answers said challenge, by engaging Red-shouldered Hawk in a dogfight. Now, Red-shouldered Hawks are pretty awesome fliers, but obviously no match for Peregrines. The P-bird made several astounding maneuvers that would have made the Red Baron very proud. Ultimately no physical damage was inflicted, but one would think that the Red-shouldered Hawk may think twice before challenging a P-bird again.

We also had a brief look at an adult male Merlin.

On the non-Raptor side, waterfowl types are flying over more frequently, and we had 12 American Avocets flyover.

Needless to say, Hazel rocks...
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Thanks, Dane!

October 17, 2007:

Libby's report:

Broad-wing: 24 (1 dark)
Swainson: 1
White-tail: 1
Turkey Vulture: 81
Sharp-shin: 9
Cooper's: 3
Am. Kestrel: 4
Peregrine: 2
Osprey: 1

Total: 126

Strong southeast winds again today. The raptors are struggling. Our largest kettle of 15 broadies contained one dark morph - we could see these naked eye. Awesome escort by one of our local White-tailed Hawks who had to dive on the migrant WT only 4 times before it decided to keep on moving.

Pray for us to get the promised wind change in the next couple days - this weekend could be a hoot!

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Thanks, Libby! Oh, joy, north winds are finally going to actually reach us this season! I know, I know, all you northern folks are thinking we're crazy, begging for north winds, ha! But you know, that's the best opportunity for our fall watch to enjoy the bounty of bundled-up raptors massing up in the wake of fronts (of which we've had NONE this fall!). The front's coming through overnight and on Friday we should be seeing the good results of better winds. Which also bodes very well for this coming weekend. We'll get some nice groups in, I just know it! A stronger front is promised us for early next week, and we're holding the weather folks to their promise. We're finally getting to that time of year when they'll actually start getting all the way down to us. 

October 18, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 60
Red-tailed Hawks = 2
Swainson's Hawks = 12
Unknown Buteos = 2
Turkey Vultures = 146
Black Vultures = 8
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 17
Cooper's Hawks = 17
Unknown Accips = 2
American Kestrel = 1
Peregrine Falcons = 2
Osprey = 1
Northern Harriers = 2
Crested Caracaras = 2
White-tailed Hawk = 1
Ferruginous Hawk = 1
Harris's Hawk = 1
Unknown Raptor = 1
Total = 278

On a blistering day (heat index 104 at 5pm); we had a great time.

We were unable to age the Ferruginous Hawk because of poor light. However, what an awesome Bird! With a wingspan of up to 5 feet, and weighing up to 4.5 pounds, this tremendous Bird makes a lasting impression on those lucky enough to see one. With an Eagle-like head projection, and tapered but powerful wings - the Hawkwatchers of Hazel salute this beautiful Buteo; here's to you, fantastic Ferruginous Hawk...

Looking at the numbers, one can see that we are getting some sweet diversity in migrating Raptors. This should actually continue, and is likely to improve; as today (Friday the 19th) north to northeast winds are predicted.

So this weekend would be a good time to come out to Hazel Bazemore and get your Raptor fix - plus you never know what other Birds may show themselves; because as we all know, Hazel definitely rocks!

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Thanks, Dane! Ferrugies are among my favorite raptor. They're just plain cool. I miss the one that used to overwinter on Mustang Island. She was awesome and surprisingly tolerant of other winter residents. It was nothing to see her perched on the same pole as the peregrine falcon that liked the same territory. Even ospreys could sit by her quietly. Well, except that one visiting osprey that one winter day decided he wanted the exact spot where she was perched on her pole and flew sorties at her for days on end. She stood her ground and the osprey eventually found a new pole, but we did get some excellent views of talon-defense displays as she jumped up from her perch with talons extended to meet the in-flight osprey descending on her with its talons jutting out. No hits, no misses; just some awesome intimidation runs.  

October 19, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 71
Red-tailed Hawk = 1
Swainson's Hawks = 4
Red-shouldered Hawk = 1
Unknown Buteo = 1
Turkey Vultures = 59
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 26
Cooper's Hawks = 21
American Kestrels = 8
Peregrine Falcon = 1
Unknown Falcon = 1
Northern Harriers = 10
Aplomado Falcon = 1
Prairie Falcon = 1
Crested Caracara = 1
White-tailed Hawk = 1
Total = 208

Wow! A four Falcon day ('true' Falcons that is). Incredible... We couldn't accurately age the Aplomado or the Prairie, due to tough light conditions.

We were very happy to see the 71 Broadies and the 10 Northern Harriers, as well.

Non-Raptor sightings included 22 Sandhill Cranes(day count); and about 50 Greater White-fronted Geese(day count).

Awesome Birds all; and just further proof that Hazel rocks...

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Thanks, Dane! 

October 20, 2007:

Libby's report:

Broad-wing: 6
Red-tail: 3
Turkey Vulture: 48
Sharp-shin: 14
Cooper's: 7
Unid Accipiter: 6
Am. Kestrel: 3
Peregrine: 1
Cr. Caracara: 2
Osprey: 2
N. Harrier: 3

Total: 95

Hum hum hum

Blue skies......smilin' at me......nothin' but blue skies.....do I see.

Yes folks, that was yesterday. Not a cloud in the sky, even the vultures were difficult to pick out. But an awesome weather day - cool breezes made the day really pleasant. We had to use the hundreds of White Pelican moving through as our clouds to spot raptors against. And it worked! Not on the report is a Zone-tail Hawk spotted early in the morn diving on some Turkey Vultures - they all moved off to the Northeast - not close enough to tell if one of the same we have had before but with a "bad attitude" as we say. Raptor highlight of the day was our last bird, a "Western dark-morph" Red-tail spotted first in the east, a "naked-eye" bird who circled over the road a bit providing awesome views for all.

And for our non-raptor highlight......a Whooping Crane!!! Who da thunk it? Also a "naked-eye" bird in view for quite some time - by his lonesome - and seen in scopes by both Joel and Bob for id confirmation.

Ya just never know what you'll miss coming over Hazel Bazemore if you're not there!

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Thanks, Libby! And more blue skies ... and clouds, and ... dare we hope? A real cold front! Well, you know, at least one that'll actually lower the mercury a degree or two. As long as those north winds make it down, we'll take it! Keep your fingers crossed ... a front is due any day now ...   

October 21, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 5
Red-tailed Hawks = 5
Swainson's Hawks = 10
Unknown Buteos = 3
Turkey Vultures = 22,791
Black Vultures = 6
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 59
Cooper's Hawks = 22
Unknown Accips = 4
American Kestrels = 5
Ospreys = 2
Northern Harriers = 5
Zone-tailed Hawk = 1
Unknown Raptors = 3
Total = 22,921

Wow! Who said peak was over? Brilliant weather, brilliant Birds, and brilliant volunteers. You guessed it, we had a brilliant day!

Zone-tailed Hawk was an immie. We had 1 dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk(age unknown).

Excellent Accipiter action(59 Sharpies!). Just like the Guiness Stout ads say - "brilliant"!

Constant streams of TV's - including over 9800 counted in our first half-hour!

Thanks to Bob, Jimmy, Art, Maggie, Mike, and our guests...

Monarch Count:
10/23 = 125
10/24 = 1129
10/25 = 970
3 day total = 2224

Hazel rocks (just ask the Monarchs!)....

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Thanks, Dane! You know, any other time, having that many vultures circling overhead would be a real worry! (Did I use deodorant this morning? Have I maybe been standing or sitting around sweating out here on the hill in one place too long?) Granted, there was that one weekend in Big Bend when Mother Nature declared open season on jack rabbits and what seemed like every vulture in the US was homing in on Dead Rabbit Run (my name for the stretch of road where the tires of passing vehicles rolled over jacks almost as often as regular asphalt). Nope! Only at Hazel and a few other select hawk watch sites does the sight of so many vultures winging overhead bring such glee!

The monarchs are here now in similar clouds ... the main group arrived on the wings of the first cold front earlie this week and even as I write monarchs are continuously winging their way southward, with brief stops to refuel on every sweet-nectared bloom in their paths. What a glorious sight under crystal clear blue dry skies! We're promised a continuation of this marvelous weather with north winds through the weekend and into mid-next week.

For the folks who enjoy watching the stats each season (that's most of us, right?), here's a new one for you, thanks to today's incredible turkey vulture flight. Hawkwatcher Emeritus John Economidy says the 25 October 2007 flight of Turkey Vultures at 22,791 officially set a new daily record, beating out the prior daily TV flight of 17,153 of October 15, 2002. How about that! Thanks to the vultures (couldn't have done it without ya, guys!) and our intrepid counters and volunteers who really developed "hawk neck" straining to count those massive streams!  

October 22, 2007:

Libby's report:

Broad-wing: 21
Red-tail: 1
Swainson's: 13
Unid Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 1131
Sharp-shin: 24
Cooper's: 22
Unid Accipiter: 7
Peregrine: 1
Osprey: 1
Unid Raptor: 12

Total 1235

BRRRRRRR! Finally - they really meant it when they said the cold and the wind change would get here. Only a short delay this morning from a little rain and northwest winds were almost too much of a good thing. They were so strong we couldn't hold our binocs steady and had to use the river bottom trees for a windbreak. Raptors screaming by all day long, with vultures tacking in the winds so as not to be blown out into the bay. While not so comfortable for your counters, we certainly enjoyed seeing this increase in numbers. Turkey Vulture will continue to pick up while we will still get a smattering of the others for a bit longer.

Many thanks to Bob and Jimmy for braving the stiff wind and helping us spot the raptors - we could not do it without you both.

-----

Thanks, Libby!   

October 23, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 5
Red-tailed Hawks = 7
Swainson's Hawks = 14
Turkey Vultures = 2109
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 28
Cooper's Hawks = 17
Unknown Accips = 4
American Kestrels = 8
Northern Harriers = 6
White-tailed Hawk = 1
Zone-tailed Hawk = 1
Unknown Raptors = 6
Total = 2206

Gorgeous blue skies, cooler temps, and lots of TV's - these are fun days at Hazel.

Zone-tailed was an immie - first immie that i have seen this year, i do believe.

Nice Buteo action, including 1 Krider's Red-tailed Hawk.

Lots of cool non-Raptor action - including Sandhill Cranes, Orange-crowned Warbler, Indigo Buntings.

Also, we are doing a 3-day Monarch count; today's tally being 125.

Hazel rocks (as do our awesome volunteers)...

-----

Thanks, Dane!  

October 24, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 42
Red-tailed Hawks = 7
Swainson's Hawks = 2
Unknown Buteos = 2
Turkey Vultures = 12,820
Black Vultures = 40
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 41
Cooper's Hawks = 33
Unknown Accips = 6
American Kestrels = 10
Merlin = 1
Ospreys = 3
Northern Harriers = 6
Zone-tailed Hawk = 1
Bald Eagle = 1
Unknown Raptors = 5
Total = 13,020

Wow! What more can i say?

Got on the Bald Eagle as i was admiring one of our local White-tailed Hawks. Could not accurately age this awesome Bird, but still way cool.

Picked the Zone-tailed Hawk out of a large movement of TV's. Got the impression it was an immie, but cannot say for sure.

Lots and lots of TV's - including hundreds of late movers.

Nice Accip action continues; much to our Hawkwatching delight.

Hazel always rocks....

-----

Thanks, Dane! Now we're cooking for the October flights! Love those vultures ... eagles and falcons, too, start filling our skies this month and next. And you just know, a golden can't be far away ...

October 25, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 5
Red-tailed Hawks = 5
Swainson's Hawks = 10
Unknown Buteos = 3
Turkey Vultures = 22,791
Black Vultures = 6
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 59
Cooper's Hawks = 22
Unknown Accips = 4
American Kestrels = 5
Ospreys = 2
Northern Harriers = 5
Zone-tailed Hawk = 1
Unknown Raptors = 3
Total = 22,921

Wow! Who said peak was over? Brilliant weather, brilliant Birds, and brilliant volunteers. You guessed it, we had a brilliant day!

Zone-tailed Hawk was an immie. We had 1 dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk(age unknown).

Excellent Accipiter action(59 Sharpies!). Just like the Guiness Stout ads say - "brilliant"!

Constant streams of TV's - including over 9800 counted in our first half-hour!

Thanks to Bob, Jimmy, Art, Maggie, Mike, and our guests...

Monarch Count:
10/23 = 125
10/24 = 1129
10/25 = 970
3 day total = 2224

Hazel rocks (just ask the Monarchs!)....

-----

Thanks, Dane! You know, any other time, having that many vultures circling overhead would be a real worry! (Did I use deodorant this morning? Have I maybe been standing or sitting around sweating out here on the hill in one place too long?) Granted, there was that one weekend in Big Bend when Mother Nature declared open season on jack rabbits and what seemed like every vulture in the US was homing in on Dead Rabbit Run (my name for the stretch of road where the tires of passing vehicles rolled over jacks almost as often as regular asphalt). Nope! Only at Hazel and a few other select hawk watch sites does the sight of so many vultures winging overhead bring such glee!

The monarchs are here now in similar clouds ... the main group arrived on the wings of the first cold front earlie this week and even as I write monarchs are continuously winging their way southward, with brief stops to refuel on every sweet-nectared bloom in their paths. What a glorious sight under crystal clear blue dry skies! We're promised a continuation of this marvelous weather with north winds through the weekend and into mid-next week.

For the folks who enjoy watching the stats each season (that's most of us, right?), here's a new one for you, thanks to today's incredible turkey vulture flight. Hawkwatcher Emeritus John Economidy says the 25 October 2007 flight of Turkey Vultures at 22,791 officially set a new daily record, beating out the prior daily TV flight of 17,153 of October 15, 2002. How about that! Thanks to the vultures (couldn't have done it without ya, guys!) and our intrepid counters and volunteers who really developed "hawk neck" straining to count those massive streams!

October 26, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 43
Red-tailed Hawk = 1
Swainson's Hawks = 7
Unknown Buteos = 2
Turkey Vultures = 2461
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 122
Cooper's Hawks = 40
Unknown Accips = 4
American Kestrels = 5
Peregrine Falcon = 1
Ospreys = 2
Northern Harriers = 11
White-tailed Hawk = 1
Total = 2700

Awesome day. 122 Sharp-shinned Hawks! Lots of fun, to say the least.

The White-tailed Hawk that we counted was in the sky with our 2 local White-tailed Hawk adults. Truly a beautiful sight - 3 adult White-tailed Hawks against a gorgeous blue sky... Wow...

Recent non-Raptor highlights include: Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Green Kingfisher, Nashville Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown Thrasher.

On the basis of the non-Raptors alone, i would say that Hazel rocks in a major way...

-----

Thanks, Dane!

October 27, 2007:

Joel's report:

Broad-winged Hawk 1
Turkey Vulture 74
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 4
Unidentified Accipiter 2
Total- 84

Slow day for movers but the local raptors and many wonderful visiters kept up intertained. The one odd thing was a group of balloons that were strung together. This vertical stack of balloons had a red one on the bottom and a yellow one on top. They were perfectly vertical, did not appear to be connected to the ground and were at least 20 to 30 feet in length. What's up with this?

-----

Thanks, Joel!

October 28, 2007:

Libby's report:

Broad-wing: 2
Red-tail: 1
White-tail: 1
Unid Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 190
Sharp-shin: 12
Cooper's: 3
Unid Accipiter: 1
Am. Kestrel: 2
C. Caracara: 1
N. Harrier: 2

Total: 217

Another pleasant day on the hill with the TV's starting to move just after 10:00. Our locals continued to provide escort out of their territory for the movers. The White-tail adult moving through required the attention of both White-tail locals before it got the message. Our park looks so inviting (and the river bottom rats so scrumptious) it is sometimes difficult to convince the movers not to move in and stay. Since the White-tail juveniles have moved out of their parents' home the Red-tail pair has moved back in and treat us to awesome hunting behavior and courting displays. Red-tail sky dancing is now part of our daily show. The Red-tail migrant on today's count was a gorgeous adult Fuertes form who perched on the radio tower for our viewing pleasure and that of spotter Mike Clifford.

Thanks to Mike and "Professor Dave" Grise for their help spotting in hazy blue skies. And, as always, thanks to Jimmy for the chocolate that surely brought us each migrant today.

-----

Thanks, Libby! 

October 29, 2007:

Dane's report:

Broad-winged Hawks = 5
Red-tailed Hawk = 1
Turkey Vultures = 107
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 8
Cooper's Hawks = 2
Unknown Accipiter = 1
Northern Harriers = 2
Bald Eagle = 1
Unknown Raptor = 1
Total = 128

Bald Eagle was a first year Bird. We were hoping it would hang around, as this tremendous Raptor flew to the northeast; but we have not seen it again.

Non-Raptor highlights include both Sedge and Marsh Wrens; as well as Savannah and Lincoln's Sparrows.

Hazel rocks ....

-----

Thanks, Dane!

October 30, 2007:

Broad-winged hawks = 2
Red-tailed Hawk = 1
Turkey Vultures = 133
Sharp-shinned Hawk = 1
Cooper's Hawk = 1
Unknown Accipiter = 1
Osprey = 1
Unknown Raptor = 2
Total = 142

Hazel rocks...

October 31, 2007:
   

Libby's report:

Broad-wing: 2
Red-tail: 1
Turkey Vulture: 212
Black Vulture: 43
Sharp-shin: 10
Cooper's: 3
Northern Goshawk: 2
Unid Accipiter: 4
Merlin: 1
N. Harrier: 2
Unid Raptor: 1

Total: 281

The day started with the usual vultures - our first day with recognizably migrating Black Vulture groups who went south and to our surprise, did not come back 10 minutes later. An early morning merlin soared for us a bit, much to our pleasure.

I know, I know.....quit stalling and give them what they want to hear.

At about 2:15, two very large accipiters were spotted by Dane gliding in. Just beyond "Tree Three" they stopped their glide, began to circle each other, and both displayed that flap that can be no other than an Northern Goshawk's. Both birds were immatures in view for approximately five minutes circling higher with intermittent flaps - they stayed long enough for both of us to have scope views. Before leaving, one called to the other clinching the id. (Luckily, Dane has spent some time doing studies on nesting Cooper's and is quite familiar with their calls.)

We are so grateful that the accipiters have those distinctive flaps - the appearance of these two immies was much like that of two female Coops on steroids - but neither a Coop nor Sharpie will ever fly like a buteo. How lucky we are.

-----

Thanks, Libby! (Does this gal know how to work an audience, or what? I taught her well! <hee! hee!>)

First-season sightings are always a gas, and when it's one of the more rare species, it's a huge thrill! That's the fun of the latter part of the watch. What we lack in numbers is made up for by diversity. Personally, I'm sure all the chocolate we're imbibing in preparation for tonight (gotta start training early, you know) is influencing the flights, too. <grin!>