Sandhill Cranes and Pelicans on The Report

I love the days when Sandhills, Pelicans and other large migrating birds can be seen. So fun being where these can be seen from a Hawkwatch. Here is Wednesday's report:

Tuesday 11 -12 -24

Fall has finally arrived. Some cool nights, leaves almost off many trees. Brisk winds continue into Wednesday when I am posting this. Let's see what the Report is for Tuesday, clue- Red-tails take the prize:

Monday 11 11 24, Veteran's Day and A Good Hawk Day

Still warm during the days in November. Hawks are being seen in various areas still making the shift south as slowly colder weather creeps into the states north of us. I even saw one watch counted 2 BW's this late. Wow. But the real numbers are all the way into Mexico and Panama, as well as Costa Rica. Migrating masses have passed into the southern climes now, and even the numbers down there are not in the hundreds of thousands anymore. Here's Bill's report:

Bill Noticed He Had the Largest Count For the Nation, Except Corpus Christi

Saturday's numbers were the highest count for the day, anywhere other than Corpus Christi, TX. That's quite an honor. Snow, cold, storms to our west, plus this front pushing in for Sunday, to bring our rains on Monday, had those birds centered on our watch! Great news! Something to get excited over, for sure. Nicole went up on Sunday and got a few more birds in before this front hit, so she helped us cross the 2000 bird marker for this season. Her 2,000th bird? Well, ck out her report!

Largest Single Day This Season

Until Saturday, the largest single day, this season, was 377 migrants. But Saturday's super turnout of Turkey Vultures made for an exciting day! Long time in coming for our watch this year, our new largest day is 512 Raptors in one day. I will post this report from Bill, and later get up a new report from Nicole for Sunday, which also brings great news. Our new Season Total at this point, is 1,999. What will our 2,000th bird be? Here's November 9, 24's report:

Beautiful Sunny Fall Days

Friday November 8 2024 Hawk Report

A Break For Rain, and A Full Day

Bill had an excellent day today. Thursday 11 7 24. Multiple birds of multiple species, makes for fun. Today's total settled us in to a tidy Grand Total migrating raptors seen for the all time high of 107,000 moigrants counted. Yay! Here's the report:

Monday, November 4 24

Bill was back on the watch on Monday and had a good day. Here's the report:

Just Before Bill Takes A Few Days Off 10 30 224

On Halloween eve, Bill spends a little time on the watch before his planned days off. Insulator show is calling. Here's the report:

A Very Good Mix

A great normal day! Bill loved the mix of species. More fun. He will not be on the lookout Thurs. thru Monday. Nicole might get up. We will watch for her report! Here is Tuesday's report for 10 29 24:

More Vultures Than Broadwings

Bill's report says it all - finally a day worth the wait!

Friday and Saturday Reported Today - 25th and 26th

October 25th and 26th on one report today. Bill says there are simply very few raptors to see, seeming like they have taken a totally new route. RAin came in the second half of the day here on Saturda, and has set into a slow steady rain, which we desparately needed. The Harrier is nice. I have a busy week next week. Definitely may have to report a day later at least once I am certain.

Blue Skies Are Killing Me

Thursday Oct. 24, Bill says the blue skies are murderous. As I am writing this a day later, not only are there rich fall blue skies, clear from horizon to horizon, there is also gusty wind. Bill is spending bits of time as he is able, but long days on these days, make no sense at our watch. So the records remain, but the hours are often few each day. After over 30 years of watching, you do what you love for as long as it makes sense.

Turkey Vultures Will be the Theme for a while

Thank You Susan Schott for going up with Bill today! Here's the report:

Nicole To Save The Day

Bill is having truck mechanical problems, so Nicole was able to get in about 2 hours to save the day. Thank you, so much!!! Here's her report:

TVs, SSs, BE on Sunday 10 20 24

Sunday 10 20 24 The report is remarkably similar to Saturday, but actually too co-incidental to be the same birds. The likelihood Bill would have the exact same birds come over the watch looking like migrants, would mean all of them would have flown back North and come down the pike looking like migrants twice. So funny coincedence...TVs and SSs were exactly the same today as Saturday. LOL Here's the report:

Vultures and Sharp-shins Up Their Flights

Friday October the 18th and Saturday the 19th bring an influx of Sharpies and Vultures to migration over Soddy Daisy. Nicole Spicer was along to see. Thank you Nichole for the extra eyes. It had to be a little exciting to see the sharpies at least. I am putting up the reports for both days! Yay.

Two Days Counts Oct 16 and 17th

WEdnesday and Thursday the 16th and 17th of October are getting chilly weather. Here are the reports:

Winds and Cold Rains!

Skunked - and Bill hates it. Oct 14 and 15 were zero migrant days. He called me just before he left the watch to talk about what was going on. We talked about the way whole areas of the mountains as far N as West VA have had areas washed away, and wondered if the Hurricane's effects had altered their paths. We talked about how raptors seemed to know when they needed to flee. We have seen evidence, by researchers, of song birds altering course for thousands of miles to avoid storms. He and I talked about weather patterns, warming, and the dip in the Jet Stream. The extremes of everything. The heights of revolving clouds and funnel that reach 60000 feet now. How long it has stayed so hot. So many things different this year. And the numbers probably lowest ever. So if other sites North see plenty, why not over our site. We believe they have been diverted by things like the jet stream, God giving them a sense of peril, and air currents designed to keep them further west, to preserve them. But Bill grows weary some days with no raptors anywhere except locals. It's about to turn cold! Into the 30's tonight. Hoping I don't lose a lot of plants. Gotta repair my green house. Here are Bill's last two days. Still important to the record. How would we know the difference if there was no one to notice?

Finally Some Clouds, and Raptors Keep Coming

October 12th and 13th, 2024 Were busy days for me. So I am going to post both days together. We add Turkey Vulture and Red-tailed Hawk for the first time this year, and one more BW . Like the BWs the Monarch Butterflies seem scarce. Here are Bill's reports:

This Time Of Year!!! Yay October!

Over the last few days we have felt the temps dropping finally from the extreme highs. We have experienced 2 Major hurricanes - Helene and Milton- both of which did so much damage to Florida, but devasted the Mountain towns in SC, TN, VA, and especially NC. The terrain I grew up loving so much, where much of my heritage is from, is now gone. Totally gone in many spots. So many people hurting with great losses of homes, family members, land, and just the necessities for life. In addition, South GA and the coasts of Florida, Ga and SC also were eaten alive by Tornados associated with Helene, which left no community in her path alone. Helene tore up entire towns, and down every country road, more trees and flooding, in 6 states. Hundreds of thousands without power for days, into weeks, and thousands with be for months. In addition, a favorite cousin passed, so I am fighting the gloom that wants so much to creep in. But there has been good. I have no family injured by the Hurricanes or tornados. None that I know of are suffering over storms. Our cousin lived to be 90, with a very good life, and he preceeds his precious wife, who may not know or remember, because she has alzheimers. And,he is safe with Jesus. In addition our precious Grandson had a birthday, and won his football game leaving his season as a quaterback at 5 and 1, losing only the game to their greatest rival, in the middle of pouring rain as Helene approached us. All in all, that was just a bit more than almost any of us can handle in just a couple of weeks. So we have made mistakes and fixed them, and as ususal I am fighting a computer which is far too full. And outdated. Yet, it remains important to me to keep a running total of our raptors migrating over one spot on this planet. As a compiled history over a quarter century that can be affirmed and researched. Will it matter in the course of historical things. No. But to us it is one of many sites wishing to put a permanancy on the strange changing ebb and flow of things that have natural patterns long ago established, before Man even was on this earth. We simply tell the story, overshadowed by other natural wonders that make the greatest changes on this earth, like huge storms. Amidst all of this, we have witnessed for the first time in my life, the beauty of Aurora Borealis in all 49 states, dipping deep into even storm ridden Florida. But due to the marvel of our modern communications, which make it possible to share these reports, I also shared with family and friends who altogether viewed the Aurora the same time I did. All were able to share their pictures, and we felt like community, and close family. It is for the sake of sharing something good and timeless. For a community who cares. For this I am thankful. Here's Bill's report:

October 10th - 2 Hours - Zip

Bill took a chance on a busy day for about 2 hours, and he saw hawks. BUT they were all locals, including the Bald Eagle. Here's the report:

No Hawks on Brief Trip Today

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 - Just to check in, a busy day elsewhere, Bill sees no migrating Hawks.

SHORT COUPLE OF HOURS

Bill was not sure he could get up yesterday, but he managed an hour or 2. Here is the report: PS I am late, my computer locked up most of the day.

Killer Day of All Blue

Monday, Oct 7 2024, was rough but not unproductive. Hi Nichole! Thank you for any time you can come. Never know when an amazing flight, or a nice close hawk will make your day. Here's Monday's report:

3 Posts Catch Up - Oct 4, 5 and 6 2024

October is fun because new species are added. October 4th - 6th is no exception. We get Northern Harrier and a maybe early Red-shouldered on a mission. BWs are still flying, and the number of Merlins is rocketing up. All 3 days are here. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 14 birds each on Sat and Sun. Here are the reports:

Merlin! Need I say more...?

Thursday 10 3, 24.....Disappointed for Nichole and Brian that they didn't get as many birds as the day before, but hopefully they got good looks at the Merlin. I just realized I was off a day for the last week and had to go back and change it. Data wasn't wrong, just my opening day/date. With typos. Hopefully now on track. That is easy to happen when you post the next day. If I happen to put in the day wrong once, it just keeps being wrong. Uggh. Here's the report for Thursday:

Peregrine Situation Resolved

Wednesday, 10 2, 2024 was a lovely day with lots of fluffy fall clouds and a good day for Hawk Migration. Yesterday, while doing numbers, it occurred to me that we only had one Peregrine Falcon, and there was a Peregrine Falcon photographed at the Dam. Sooo, what if our counted bird was now at the Dam. Well, considering a Hurricane was one the way or had just passed we could give it some grace if it was our count bird,( which we have no way of knowing), or we could consider the possibility of a second bird which didn't fly over the watch. So, to solve the delimna, and not remove our bird, would do 2 things. 1. Peregrines are moving through in good numbers this time of year, and the counts in the Florida Keys Hawk Watch are great proof of that. Their watch is a great funneling spot. So no problems with hoping there were more Falcon's in our area this time of year. But, 2. if a second one is counted now, the question is solved. Yes there are other Peregrines passing through for us as well. So our Turesday count, solved our delimna. And we can keep our count at 2, mostly because the first bird Bill counted was seen going on through for as we could determine that it was in migration. In actuallity, even if it were to pause or stay at the Dam, and become a nester, it won't be the first time. And the bird would have come from the north, and migrated here. So no problem. There are, as you see, reasons for our count numbers, and we do consider their accuracy. So here's the great fall report:

Bill Returns to the Watch

Tuesday, Oct 1 2024, Bill returns from his trip to more BW kettles. Lot's of clouds are helping his viewing, but they threaten rain. Here's the report:

Last Day of September

Sept 30 2024, Sunday, was Bill's first day back from his trip up north. He returns to the mountain, just after the Hurricane Helene has done the most damage to our mountain towns looking North and East in history. Helene dropped more water than has ever been recorded into NC, SC, GA, and TN mountains and has left devastation and heartbreak all across the area. But for Hawkwatching, at least while Bill was gone, he didn't miss any migrating hawks, since bird migration charts from radar, showed all the migrants make a massive shift to the west of us by a lot! Numbers were still low on the 30th. I like to do a little update for the month at the end of the month, so I will include a screen shot of the Hawkcount.org excel chart of the hawks seen so far, both here and on Facebook. The report follows:

No Broadwings, Eagles On the Move

Monday the 23rd of September was a no Broadies day. Only 6 hawks on the count. Slow September like I don't remember. We may never know why.

Here's the report:

Peregrin Added to the Count

Sunday, Sept 22 2024 - the temps are still extremely high for the first day of Fall. No big kettles, so if the hawks are there, they are very high. Either uncountable in the big blue or the clouds are so high the birds are just too small at those heights. Bill isn't a scope birder, and even if he was, it is very time consuming to do it alone. You miss things like FALCONS!!! Excited to add this one to the count. __________________________________________________________________ Bill asked that we post the following message with dates he will not be on the watch. Does not mean you can't go up to count, just means he will not be there if you expect him. If you are a qualified counter, you know the stats he will need to count your birds:

__________________________________________________________________ Here's the Report:

Full Team, Few Hawks

Thanks to Tami and Nicole for going up to help Bill. I am so sorry Nicole isn't getting properly initiated!!! LOL Here's Saturday the 21st Hawk Report:

Too Hot, Too Blue

On Sept 20 24 it went from the rain and clouds to full on super hot. My greenhouse said it was 102 by afternoon and stayed there until the sun set. It is no wonder Bill said "enough!" Before I post his report, I'll put up a couple of pictures of Nicole Spicer, who has expressed a desire to help us bird as she is able. Hope she finds a way to get up often. Welcome to her and also to each of our watchers who visit. Bill was joined on this report by John Dever. WELCOME JOHN!

Here's the report: We add new birds today, in the uncountables. It has become an expectation to get some White Pelicans each year now. Didn't disappoint -

(It is always possible to click on the report to enlarge it for reading.) Once again, as we always say; KEEP LOOKING UP!!! Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkderson

A New Observation Member for the Crew

On Thursday, 9 19 24, Nicole, who messaged us between seasons, was able to come up for a trial day. She had wanted to help as much as she is able and is a birder. As it turns out, Bill feels she will be a great hawk watcher, and goodness knows we can us help. We have always said, "more eyes to the skies" makes for better more accurate counts. And less weary counters. Welcome!!! Nicole. Hope I can get up to meet you. Today we get to add Shape-shinned Hawk to the running and expanding list. Yay Here's the report:

A Little Oopsy

On Wednesday, 9 18 24 Bill reported having some of our best loved visitors, a dear friend Susan Schott, and Bill's Daughter Mindy and Son-in law Marc. Who couldn't love a day like that? But even with help, the clouds didn't clear as early as hoped, and it even rained a couple of times before it cleared. But once it cleared the small kettles kept popping up. At the end of an enjoyable afternoon, Bill made a little oppsy when recording his count, so while we waited for clarification, we have not posted until now. So glad they had a little fun during their visit. Thanks for coming Susan, Mindy and Mark!! Here's the report:

Who Can Complain About a Little Rain?

Tuesday, 9-17-24 Well, a Hawk Watcher might have a small complaint. LOL Because you can't see migrating hawks in the rain. We needed the rain though. It was very late in the afternoon before skies cleared a little in the valley, so Bill did not have a watch opportunity. It is difficult to tell this morning if we have just a fog layer, or it will be rainy again...I feel sure Bill will test it and let us know. Here's the report for Tuesday:

MERLIN ON DAY 3!!!!

MONDAY THE 16TH BRINGS EXCITING VARIETY ALREADY. Here's the report:

Day 2 for me is setting up the running log, finding a 3 bird error from last year, and a little editing of the blog page. Running totals are now caught up. We are underway! Have a great day everyone.

Opening Weekend for Fall 2024

Tami King went up on Saturday, and early Sunday morning as she faithfully does every opening weekend each fall. Thank you so much Tami. Bill's first Day was after Church on Sunday the 15th, and he has sent us the first report for the 2024 Hawk Watch Season. It's International Hawk Migration Week Here is the story in stats and pictures:

As always we remind you to KEEP LOOKING UP!!!