/Hawkcast is a messaging program for the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch at
the DOAS Sanctuary. Alerts are typically sent a day or two before
expected good days – approximately once a week through the fall./
Franklin Mountain Hawk Watch Fall Season
/Above: Sharp-shinnned Hawk at FMHW; Photo by Kyle Dudgeon./
Hi Everyone -
I hope you are well. The Franklin Mountain Hawk Watch will start this
week with full coverage beginning Saturday, August 30. The next few days
look good with cooler weather. There should be some coverage this week
though I am not certain which days. Broad-winged Hawks and other early
migrants will be flying .
Counters always appreciate help spotting birds. Feel free to speak up
even if you lack confidence in your identification skills. The greatest
benefit to the counter is help finding birds in the sky. Identification
is the counter's responsibility. Don't feel bad if you point out a raven
or the counter has already tallied a bird you spotted. Better to make
sure it is seen and identified than to have it missed.
To improve your chances of seeing raptors, check the migration timing
for target species and then monitor weather forecasts. Migration timing
charts can be found athttps://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=361
<https://xmmggz.clicks.mlsend.com/ty/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjg4Njc5NCxcImxcIjoxNjM3MzczNjk5NzcwMzA0OTgsXCJyXCI6MTYzNzM3MzgwNjYyMDE5Njg5fSIsInMiOiI4OGNiN2NhOTUwYjU1NmRjIn0>.
Good flights for many species often occur when the wind blows briskly
from the northwest, especially following periods of rain and the passing
of a cold front. These conditions are especially good for the larger
soaring species that concentrate along the ridge in the mid to late
season. Look for a forecast with NW winds, 10 mph or more. Broad-winged
Hawks are a bit of an exception. They migrate early, peaking in
mid-September, and prefer thermals for lift. Northwest winds are still
good but wind direction is less critical than wind speed. Light winds
and some sun are ideal for thermal formation.
Raptor numbers tend to peak during the middle hours of the day. However,
birds do move early and late, especially on good flight
days. Broad-winged Hawks usually don't concentrate until either the fog
lifts or temperatures start to warm.
Our goal is to count every dry day through November, and the better days
in December. However, we do not have every day on the calendar filled.
We are always interested in having/training more counters. Counting
requires considerable experience and skill, and there is a vetting
process. If you have an interest in possibly becoming a FMHW counter,
please contact me, or speak to a counter while you are there. If you
have hawk counting experience elsewhere, contact me about how you might
help.
You may find yourself at Franklin Mountain and no official counter is
present. I would appreciate it if you would record the migrating raptors
you see each hour and email me that information when you can. It may not
be included in the official tally but those numbers are helpful for us
to understand what we missed.
Parking will probably remain an issue on busy days. Please do not park
opposite the driveway to the barn. It prevents other vehicles from
turning around. Also, everything beyond the barn driveway on Bird Road
is a private drive and residence.
When you visit, please continue to respect the counters' space: the
small picnic table and area beyond it. The shelter is intended for FMHW
staff. During the season, visitors may use it with the counter's permission.
*We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and
natural resources are protected. */The mission of Delaware-Otsego
Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people
with nature//to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation,
education, research and advocacy./
/
/
If you no longer wish to receive these emails please click the
Unsubscribe link below.
