We have all seen the increase in Hawks of all kinds since Christmas/January. Many people often ask us, when certain hawks return. There are no dates "set in stone." But, examples are that early in March, we saw dozens to hundreds of "kettling" vultures in 3 states, as Jimmy and I had opportunity to travel. The numbers we saw and the fact that we drove for miles and continued to see vultures kettling and streaming in the same northerly direction for the duration...well, it was obvious that these birds were on a migration track. Were they returning early? How far were they traveling? I can't say. I honestly don't know the statistics on returning vultures. I am not sure I have seen any documentation other than that of the watches that focused on the hawks returning at or about the same time as Broad-winged Hawks, in the Spring. Some research might turn up more details, but I have felt the numbers I have seen don't quite agree with things like seeing miles of vultures, which haven't been there during the winter. Will there be documented information to that fact. I doubt it. Because, who was looking - officially? It might take some technical equipment, and someone's commitment to tracking with it, to KNOW.
There were several weeks in February that it was obvious we were seeing more commonly seen hawks than usual. Were they northern birds that had settled here for the winter and were just becoming more active before returning North? Or were there actually numbers of migrant returning as it appeared from the south. Again, I am not sure the statistics exist to say one way or the other. I am not the first to ask the question, "How can you see so many Hawks after mid-January without there being some migrants returning?" I've heard the comment many times. I've stated it myself. When everywhere you look on most poles along the highway there is a hawk of some kind and you've driven that route week after week without seeing the numbers, in past weeks...there has to be a reason. But who's counting?
The answer lies in knowing how far the migrants went to be returning. More info exists on Falcons, Broad-wings, and Kites than on some of the more well known species. In fact, this year I have been following the return of Swallow-tailed Kites which were tagged. And they definitely start their northern flight earlier than I had thought. Check out this site: http://www.swallow-tailedkites.org/2015/04/the-gulf-washes-into-memory-for-seven.html. As of April 2, 2015, all but one of the tagged Kites was at it's summer home range! Should we be looking closely for them to come into Sequatchie and Bledsoe Counties, or to pass our watch. YOU BET'CHA!
The time we have traditionally spent on the Soddy Hawk Watch is always in April, committing to an actual count. Jimmy and I cannot dedicate so much time to the spring counts as we have committed to Fall counts. We can't spend much time birding at all - Spring planting, a Grand-child in sports, Graduations and weddings, family business...and I just plain am behind on getting my house back in order after winter. I still haven't packed all the Christmas decorations into their cubby. So anytime we get stats from a fellow hawk-watcher, it's a blessing to report some Spring statistics. Real numbers are the only real thing we have to indicate passing migrants, and they don't come North in the kettles the same way they might go south. Instead, a steady stream of hawks will pass going north, much as we saw Sharpies and Coopers going south. Often one bird at a time. Even the Broad-wings.
Thanks, once again, to Bill Haley who remains dedicated to the whole Hawk watch picture, and wants us not to forget there is a northern flight that deserves more eyes and hours, so that some of our questions about Northern Migration might be answered. Even 3 hours of watching in a dedicated spot gives valuable statistics...because SOMEONE IS COUNTING!
Bill's Report:
4/08/15
Bill Haley
10:45 to 1:30, 2.75 Hours
1 Northern Harrier
3 Osprey
2 Cooper's Hawks
7 Broad-wings, (FOY)
1 Red-tailed
_________________________
5 Species, 14 total Raptors
Indications are that if we had the time, quite a few hawks might be seen for an entire day. There are reports of Broad-wings being seen across the state. So, if you've gotten a bit lazy with looking up...It's time to do it again!!
So many hawks, so few counters...
Smile and
Keep Looking UP!!!
For actual counts - Hawk Counts from various sites reported to HMANA @ HawkCount.org
Just and FYI: this post was definitely not a stab at our faithful watchers who, like we, commit so much of their available hawk watching time to the fall. Even those of us who are retired, have an extra load in spring planting gardens, etc. This post is only intended to indicate that the answers to some of our questions lie in gathering stats. And it is not humanly possible to dedicate an abundance of time to a year long documentation of statistics. In fact, the winter birds overlap in migration, we think, so the lines would be difficult to draw accurately without the technical help. I just appreciate when anyone is able to help us out. And I long for new lovers of hawks, who would love to spend a little time helping us look up. But, it is just a birding activity for so many, and I want them to know that it might pay off to spend a little time in April, just checking out the returning beauties.
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