Hey birders …..
So you want to see hawks, well here are some tips on how to enjoy hawk watching,:
1. location, location, location. Well this is an easy one as you have a great site close by called, you guessed it, Kiptopeke.
2. Timing. I suggest day time
3. Timing (part 2). Seriously, we are getting into the peak of migration from the middle of September to the middle of October. We will be getting big flights of falcons zipping by and who doesn't like falcons … apart from all those migrating songbirds and dragonflies … and shorebirds … and ….
4. Bring a kid or a birder under aged 30 with you. If you don't have kids, or close family who fit this description, then rent one. This is super important as you need a pair of young eyes to spot those specks.
5. Floaters that go consistently north - south are in fact birds
6. Beware of dragonflies and butterflies. We all get caught out. What looks like a tiny very distant raptor could be a large butterfly circling past your nose at close quarters.
7. Get up to speed on all the ways to distinguish the accipiters apart. It doesn't matter if you can't ID them, but at least you can join in on the discussions with everyone one else who also can't ID them.
8. A comfortable chair is a must. I was hoping to be provided with a lazy boy but one can only wish.
9. Those of faith or atheists alike, pray for clouds. We need a backdrop to see those tiny specks against. A cloudless blue sky might be nice for a picnic but we're here for more than a sandwich.
10. Remember to bring your bins. Sometimes it might seem like a waste of time when the birds are passing way high overhead but at least you can look like you're seeing the birds. Just make sure you're pointed in roughly the same direction as everyone else.
It's really a lot of fun and I have loved the opportunity learning from everyone, hearing birding stories and geeking out with fellow bird nerds. Kiptopeke is really a friendly place and a great opportunity to learn the hawks and other migrants Hanging out at the hawkwatch platform all day has brought some surprises. Perhaps the biggest one so far happened this last week when Tracy from Virginia Beach and I were watching what we thought was a distant osprey before I noticed a long tail, then a white head and belly … and then the gigantic pointed wings...black as night. Who would have thought a Frigatebird! Amazingly though, this is the second one to have been seen from the platform.
Tally so far at end of week 2: 1454 total raptors:
Osprey 943
Bald Eagle 118
Northern Harrier 30
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 32
Broad-winged Hawk 87
Red-tailed Hawk 32
American Kestrel 164
Merlin 23
Peregrine 21
Happy birding,
Steve
