This week on the watch has been slow. But it's early. This week has been our first official week of the 2013 season. We were rained out on two afternoons and were not able to be there on Friday. Jimmy was up alone on Tuesday as his first day. Only 1 Broad-winged Hawk.
On Wednesday, I joined him and again we had only 1 Broad-winged Hawk.
On Thursday, September 12, Harold Birch was there when we arrived. Things were looking up. (No pun intended. LOL) We saw 3 Broad-winged Hawks, and 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, before the rains shut down our afternoon. If it were prime season, we might have sat the rains out in the car, but numbers weren't promising.
On Friday, September 13, we were unable to be there due to previously scheduled doctors' appointments.
But today, September 14, was a successful count day. We began the day, just Jimmy and I, wondering if we would see anything, because the skies were totally blue. And clear all the way to Kingston, where the ghostly twin stacks stood as the furthest thing on the north horizon. Watts Bar was visible to the naked eye, as were all the layers of mountains from the Texas Knobs toward Lookout Mtn. There was almost no wind, and there were few of the usual dragonflies, butterflies and Hummingbirds that capture our attention away from the hawk specks. Bill Holt joined us about 11:00 and we teased him for ordering the blue skies, but were incredibly happy for the new set of eyes.
Also joining us today was a student at Collegedale, Andrew Theus, who proved to be a quick study of what to look for and where. An 11 year birder from Columbus, Georgia, his skills proved to be invaluable today. He helped get us on a number of birds we might have missed otherwise. Since he had never visited a hawk watch before, he left saying how amazing the "blink-in/blink-out" magic act of whole kettles of hawk could be. Hawks seemingly appeared in the sky,kettled as if they wanted us to notice, and promptly dissolved into the atmosphere. Not unusual in blue skies, but certainly a learning experience for a newby's first day. Great Job Andrew!
We also had two neighbors drop by to visit just as we were able to show them a small kettle. They will certainly have high expectations next time they drop by.
For the entire day, we viewed more hawks looking behind us than from our ususal north facing stance. We couldn't figure out how so many could consistently get past us and suddenly appear out of nowhere to the south.
We had 170 Broad-winged Hawks
2 Sharp Shinned
2 American Kestrals
1 Adult Bald Eagle
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 unidentified Accipiter
Total Countable Raptors: 177
Our total birdcount, which included songbirds and raptors was 25 species.
Be sure to contact us if you are on the hill and see Hawks when we are not there!
NEW HAWK WATCHERS: bring a chair, water, snacks, lunch, and binoculars if possible. By all means don't forget the sunscreen and most protective lip gloss you can find. There is no shade, there are no public facilities. Some bring shaded chairs or strap umbrellas to their scopes. Be prepared for possible cooler temps, and wind. Expect to sit a couple of hours for hopes of seeing something. Even then, there is no guarantee. Make special plans for the day after a cold front, especially if it rains for one entire day. The backed up hawks will be anxious to get moving south.
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