[texbirds] Hawk Migration at Home 9/23/13

From: DHanson139@xxxxxxx
To: texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 15:22:21 -0400 (EDT)
Didn't have to go to Smith Point this morning to count hawks as we had  
plenty here at our house. This morning started with me sitting out watching  
Hummingbirds still hoping for some thing besides a Ruby-throated. I believe we 
 still have around 50 or so out there which is down from yesterday morning 
when I  estimated 80-90. I went in and ate breakfast and went right back out 
and started  noticing other birds moving around. It started with 4 White 
Ibis (1 juvie for  Tony) 10 Am White Pelicans and then suddenly 3 Wood Storks 
joined them. While we  were watching those 37 more Storks try to slip by us. 
About then is when I  noticed the first kettle of 16 Broad-winged Hawks 
just West of us. Then a kettle  of 63 a couple more small bunches and then 
about noon when the clouds were  starting to burn off I had a large kettle that 
was so high I almost did not see  them. If a handful had not gone in front 
of one of the few clouds left I would  have missed them. I finally estimated 
250 but could have been over 300. The wind  must be moving pretty fast up 
there because when the kettle broke Westward they  headed out so fast I just 
could not count them fast enough. Looks like they are  following the North 
shore line of Trinity Bay.
 
I have a question I have asked several people but would be interested what  
our Tex-birders do. I usually sit and count the Hummers at our feeders 
several  times and get a rough average and multiply by 3 to get an estimated 
number  in the yard. I would be interested in hearing what others are using or 
if some  good standard is out there. I have heard all the way from multiple 
of 3 to  10.
 
302 Broad-winged Hawks
2 Red-shouldered Hawks
1 Coopers Hawk
9 Mississippi Kites
1 Swainson's Hawk
60 Wood Storks
10 Am White Pelicans
50 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
120 Common Grackles
Also a few of both species of Vultures but they did not appear to be  
migrating.
 
 
 
David and Jan  Hanson
Baytown/Mont Belvieu Area
Chambers County
Galveston Bay Area  Master Naturalist
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[texbirds] Hawk Migration at Home 9/23/13

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