Nearing the end of Fall Migration

Not too many of us were able to get up to the hawk watch during October. However, "DATA IS DATA" as Bill Haley always used to say.  So no data is too small for us. Even negative data counts for something. For knowing when it is unlikely that we will see hawks migrating. Or determining that the numbers are low for a certain year, for example.  But you never know when that marvelous Golden Eagle, or the sneaky Merlin will slip in. (hint, hint) Because weather doesn't dictate the migration attitudes of some raptors, the way it does the fights of Broad-wings. I am excited to up our numbers with this updated data.

Thanks so much to Harold Birch and Bill Haley who were able to get up a few hours on occasion to broaden the picture of what migration for hawks is like beyond Broad-wings.

 It would be significant to note in an overall picture, for future reference, that these numbers are low literally because we weren't able to have constant coverage.  As you will see, even 1/2 hour is worth notation. Let me note that we love numbers for birds other than migrating raptors. What are you seeing when you visit?
 (If you have numbers to report for even 15 minutes, please e-mail Jimmy with the specifics. Or post to TN-birds.)

Tuesday, October 13, 2013
9:30 - 12:45  (3 1/2 hrs.)

1 Cooper's Hawk  (CH)
2 Red-tailed Hawks  (RT)
______________________
3 -Total countable raptors
Harold Birch reporting

                 ...
Saturday, October 19, 2013
2:30 - 3:00 (1/2 hr.)

1 Cooper's Hawk (CH)
______________________
1 - Total countable raptors
Bill Haley reporting

..............................................

Saturday, November 9, 2013
9:30 - 12:30 (3 hrs.)

6 Red-tailed Hawks (RT)
2 Red-shouldered Hawks (RS)
1 Cooper's Hawk (CH)
1 Northern Harrier (NH)
9 Turkey Vultures (TV)
______________________
19 - Total countable raptors
Bill Haley Reporting

             ....
Monday, November 11:2013
10:30 - 11:15 (3/4 hr.)

45 Turkey Vultures (TV)
 5  Red-tailed Hawks (RT)
_____________________
50 - Total countable raptors
Bill Haley Reporting

*Also seen - 2 Sandhill Cranes

               ....
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
9;30 - 1:30 (4 hrs.)

10 Red-tailed Hawks (RT)
  1 Cooper's Hawk (CH)
  1 Bald Eagle (BE)
______________________
12 - Total countable raptors
Bill Haley Reporting


Thursday, November 14, 2013
9:15 - 3:30 (6 1/4 hrs.)

10 Red-tailed Hawks (RT)
  2  Sharp-shinned Hawks (SS)
  1 Cooper's Hawks (CH)
  1 Northern Harrier (NH)
  1 Golden Eagle (GE)
  1 Bald Eagle (BE)
  3 Turkey Vultures (TV)
_______________________
19 - Total countable raptors
Bill Haley reporting
 (Jimmy was able to join Bill after Bill reported the Golden Eagle, and stayed after Bill had to leave. Sadly, he had thought about going up earlier, and by not following his gut on this day, missed the Golden Eagle. Glad Bill was there to see it. Obviously the high-light of the day. Great add to this year's totals.)

Also seen - 37 Sandhill Cranes

This catches up our numbers update - but Jimmy had a great story from this last afternoon:

"2:30
I heard Chickadees and Titmouse behind me, that I had not earlier noticed.  They were very vocal. I looked behind me and a very close-in MERLIN was circling over the dead pine. However, it flew North. The last time I saw it, he was out over Cell 1...."

Result of that, of course, because he flew north and didn't return during watch hours...we couldn't count him.  This is why I like the blog in addition to the actual data reports.  In this way, a bird as vital to the count is at least recognized.  Even though it would not be reported to official records.  It's important to make known that birds like Merlins are being seen.  Great report, Jimmy.

____________________________________________________________________
NEXT TIME
Maybe a few more numbers, and a YTD update. Also:

The next opportunity I have to report, I want to discuss some research Jimmy has been doing on past records, and count areas. Perhaps by then he will have a story written, but if not, what he is finding is worth discussion. Plus, we hope that in the interim between this year's count and next year's count,  we can begin to get the totals for the last few years into a chart form. I may have to post them one year at a time, until we get caught up, but we have constant requests for those numbers in an easy to reference form.

Also, we need to address the question that is often asked: "To whom are these numbers being reported."  For Jimmy and I, it is OK that we are "Hawk-watchers" at heart, as a hobby. Reporting our numbers here could just remain a hobby. But that data is valuable, in a larger scheme of things, and we are aware of that. It is why we keep it.  Bill Haley reported our numbers over the years to "the keepers of the numbers," regularly.  TOS members have requested that we put the numbers into a proper document to report them.  So we are beginning an effort to compile and report, and since I totaly detest paperwork, it will be a major act of will to get it done. But I agree that the value out-weighs my excuses.  So, Jimmy is compiling, and I must get it categorized.( Hope I am not setting myself up to fail here.)  But I want to make this site informative and useful, and hope to continue to expand the education of "hawk-watching" to all who love these magnificent birds.
Cynthia

NEVER STOP LOOKING UP!