[wisb] Very blustery morning of hawkwatching in Duluth, MN

From: Erik Bruhnke <birdfedr@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Wisconsin Birding Network <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 22:09:08 -0500
This morning I braved the elements for 2 hours, scanning the skies to see
what birds moved through the area. The 2 hours of counting were done at
Thompson Hill (St. Louis County) - west side of Duluth. A total of 7 raptors
were observed today. The only non-raptors in sight were local American White
Pelicans down along the river edge. As soon as they took off, they seemed to
be forcefully-wafted westwards and southwards, blowing apart from each
other! After a few minutes of struggling to fly in-synch, they regathered
and hunkered down again. The conditions that we're experiencing now are
simply ruthless on birds... especially the recently-arrived songbirds like
the butterbutts (Yellow-rumped Warblers), Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Eastern
Phoebes, and others that aren't used to harsh and cold conditions. They are
capable of living off of stored fat reserves for a little while, and
fluffing up to retain the heat that their little bodies produce. The
windchillls (today and yesterday) have been in the single digits, rising to
the teens when the wind "dies down"... As if yesterday and today weren't
rough enough on these little birds, tomorrow is going to be the big test...
Rain and snow is expected tomorrow, in addition to the strong winds. I don't
mean to sound like the bad-news-bringer, but it's really interesting to
ponder about what birds endure, and it's humbling to know how hardy they
are! Hopefully they'll be able to make it through this. Before leaving to
count hawks this morning, I made sure to scatter plentiful amounts of
birdseed throughout my small little side-yard, for the Juncos, House
Finches, Black-capped Chickadees, and Northern Cardinals to enjoy!
Today's count details...
https://www.hawkcount.org/day_summary.php?rsite=543&ryear=2011&rmonth=04&rday=15

Broad-winged Hawk (it's been a few days since we've seen one at the count,
but I wanted to share a picture of one from this past fall). Spring
conditions will come eventually!
http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/128050668

Maybe we'll have a few days like this, later on this spring (photos of the
Broad-winged Hawk kettle from my first season at Hawk Ridge)...
http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/104225823

Good birdwatching,
Erik Bruhnke
Duluth, MN

*NATURALLY AVIAN*
www.pbase.com/birdfedr
www.naturallyavian.blogspot.com
birdfedr@xxxxxxxxx


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[wisb] Very blustery morning of hawkwatching in Duluth, MN

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