My, how time has flown by this migration season (pun most certainly intended). We find ourselves in mid-November, and though Karl will be staying through November 30th, tomorrow marks my last day with the fine folks of Kiptopeke Hawkwatch.
It has truly been a joy to work here. I want to thank the amazing CVWO team and their supporters as well as all of the wonderful visitors to the platform - both first-time and long-time - who made my time here so enjoyable. Thank you for a wonderful season!
Below, you'll find a few photos from the past week that show a bit of what we've been seeing recently. I hope you enjoy, and happy birding!
- Bridgett
Around November 8th, Karl and I started noticing far more
American Goldfinches hanging out at the feeders; a flock of
more than 100 circulated around the platform the entire day,
much as the Pine Siskins before them had done. It was interesting
because as soon as the goldfinches arrived, the siskins - who had
also been hanging around the feeders in a group of 100 or so
for many weeks - disappeared right away. There are still a few
stragglers around, but nothing like the constant group
we had been seeing! It's also interesting to note that
on November 9th, we broke our platform record for American
Goldfinches; the previous record was 2,500, and on the 9th we
counted 3,508! (Karl Bardon)
Speaking of birds who've been hanging around the platform,
this juvenile Cooper's Hawk mentioned a few posts ago has
continued to make his presence known at the feeders. One morning
last week, Karl and I noticed that (s)he was repeatedly calling
back and forth throughout the morning with an adult female
Cooper's who had also been hanging around the platform. We
speculated that perhaps this was Mom checking in with Junior
as the youngster learned its way around hunting. (Karl Bardon)
Our lovely friends the Pine Siskins making their way elsewhere.
(I must admit, I'm a little jealous of whoever is getting these little
fellows at their feeders now that we aren't!) (Karl Bardon)
Large flocks of Common Grackles have become commonplace
in the last week-and-a-half, with 6,892 having been counted
since the 8th! Our highest-count day was the 9th, in which we
counted 2,855. (Karl Bardon)
There have been a few straggling Osprey making their way past
recently. Such a common raptor early in the season, it is now a
treat to see them flying by. (Karl Bardon)
On slow migration days, vultures (both Turkey and Black) provide
us with much-longed-for visual relief from the endless
blue of the sky, forming long, flowing flightlines.
Though vultures are much-maligned, they are essential
parts of our ecosystems and - though rarely
given credit for this - are also just as much a raptor
as their more attractive raptor compatriots. So, three cheers
for these unloved birds! (Karl Bardon)
And when very few other raptors are flying, I've learned it's the
Sharp-shinned Hawk we can rely upon to fly over,
bringing joy to the hawk-obsessed among us. (Karl Bardon)
