Where Do the Broad-wings Go?

HawkCount.org  gives us evidence of where the Raptors are arriving right now. We know thousands have passed along the Appalachian Mtn. Range, flowing across Alabama and Mississippi, toward Texas.  We have discussed the massive numbers that stream through Corpus Christi, TX for instance from all areas of the US, that are heading even further South.  So, today I am taking a quick look at two sites further south. And I am asking how in the world they even count all these birds? I have been at Corpus Christi and watched how they count.  I wish one day to at least see some pics of how they do it at some of the places I am about to show you.  (Use your browser's back button to return to the blog.)


Veracruz River of Raptors Chichicaxtle, MX -  964481 Raptors  of which were 721523. BWs.
Check the above link to discover what was occurring on Oct, 6, 2015 in Mexico.  From here these migrants continue into Panama, and some all the way to Argentina, South America.  Such as Swainson's Hawks.

Now consider this one:
Cerro AncónPanama City, Panama, Panama  - 5389 Raptors of which were 5505 BW's. Those huge numbers are only just now beginning to funnel into the mid-Americas.

Through out October, Jimmy and I want to familiarize our readers with some of the other watch sites.  When we speak of Sandhill, and Whooping Cranes, we often explain to visitors that there are migration routes that specific birds follow.  Anything East of the Mississippi, is in general, the EASTERN FLYWAY.  For the Raptors, that flyway is divided into two general categories.  Roughly, the raptors that fly down the Mountains, and those that fly down the coastline.  Now, that doesn't say that no birds fly or kettle elsewhere.  Not at all.  It just appears that watches which have evolved to view the raptor flights, find their best counts on mountain ridges, or along the coast-line in the East. And as it so happens-- we are in a line with one another. Whether along coastal sites, or running down the  mountains sites, there is an interesting line that can be drawn between the sites, moving south.   

Eventually, we will help draw you a map of the path it seems that the Mountain migrants take.  Or at the very least, the route along which watchers count and record what they see during Hawk migration.  And we also want to introduce you to the more southern watch in Alabama, that falls exactly in line with all the rest of us...the mountain watchers, but sits in a flat-land hay-field and views thousands in a few days.  But all that later.

Yesterday was Jimmy's last day up, but Bill plans to go up as he can.  I am sure he would love company, but his schedule means he can go only as he can slip it in.  Maybe without plans. 

So this is the last long day, multi-watcher count that we expect to have:

10/6/15   Tuesday

4 Broad-wings
15 Sharp-shinned
4 Cooper's Hawks
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Osprey
1 American Kestrel
1 Adult Bald Eagle
1 Merlin

*Jimmy wanted me to also note that they had a 3 Falcon day!!__________________________________

We will post what anyone of the team goes up to see, through November at least.

Today I looked up and what did I see crossing a cloud?  You guessed it - A regal hawk... no binocs, so I couldn't ID.  After all I didn't need to count it.  But alas, I had to smile.  All you need to do is occasionally -

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson