Monday, September 28, 2009

Broad-winged Hawks Migrate South


Hawk identification is a tricky business but less so when you’re in the company of experts who each year gather atop Pennsylvania mountain ridges to identify and count the number of species flying south during the fall migration. Two weeks ago Sunday, I was in the company of just such a group gathered atop Jack’s Mountain, a roadside outlook in Mifflin County, to witness and record whatever raptors might sail overhead. As September is the peak migration time for Broad-winged Hawks, when large numbers congregate to fly south, expectation was high that we might see hundreds of these stocky raptors. (Photo courtesy of the Nick Bolgiano.)

The day was warm with clear blue skies—beautiful but not perfect hawk-watching conditions. Hawks can fly so high that they disappear from view in the deep, vast firmament. A backdrop of white clouds provides better contrast against the dark raptors. Across the valley, another group of enthusiast kept watch (and count) from Stone Mountain, about a half hour drive southwest of State College.

In my short time there, about two hours, I was lucky enough to see several species of migrating raptors, including hawks, falcons, and even a Bald Eagle. Several Broad-winged Hawks also sailed overhead, only a few flying low enough for me to see and identify. For me, the Broad-winged Hawk’s most conspicuous characteristic, one by which I can identify him, is the thick white band in his dark tail. Several hawks have alternating white and black tail bands but the Broad-wing’s central white band is thick, with only a thin strip at the tail base and tip. (You can see two of these white bands in the photo provided.)

Broad-wings are “summer” raptors; you see them only during breeding season. Otherwise they winter in South America. Typically I see at least one each season in the trees at Black Moshannon State Park, but on this Sunday I was eager to see large flocks, known as “kettles,” flying overhead.

By the time our small group left Jack’s Mountain, about 1:00 p.m., the official count was at 30 for Broad-wings. Later that day, on the birding listserv, I was to learn that Stone Mountain observers counted some 1300 plus Broad-wings! The photo I share with you today was taken by someone witnessing and recording their migration that day over Stone Mountain.

Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Monday, September 21, 2009

On a wire, in the air, over the fields . . . blackbirds everywhere!




I’m sure you’ve noticed them. Tidy, long lines of patient birds perching on telephone wires, their silhouettes black against the sky. Or perhaps you’ve seen a sinewy black serpent undulating through the sky . . . or a black cloud descending upon a stubby field? Most likely blackbirds. (Photo of a Red-winged Blackbird in silhouette by John J. Mosesso; Public Domain Image.)

This time of year you may find Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds feeding together in a field. (Just two of the many birds in the Family Icteridae, known collectively as “blackbirds.”) A flock of European Starlings passing over (though not family) might invite themselves to dinner as well. Whether different species of blackbirds keep company (for eating and/or migrating) is a matter of what and where they eat, how fast they fly, and where they like to sleep or roost.

Just last evening I was out munching on the remaining blueberries left me by my summering guests, the Eastern Towhee (not a “blackbird”), when a low-flying flock of blackbirds flew over. At first I heard a soft, strange sound, something I couldn’t identify. Preoccupied with the flavor of the berries, I didn’t work too strenuously deciphering the sound, akin to that of the air whishing through a Wiffle Ball when struck--of course, lots and lots of whishing Wiffle Balls. Soon I didn’t have to identify its source because directly overhead flew a flock of blackbirds. As it was dusk, the birds, flying from north to south, appeared black against the darkening sky. From best I could tell, the birds were Red-wings, though that’s not to say that some Cowbirds couldn't have been along for the trip!

Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Monday, September 14, 2009

Hundreds of Common Nighthawks Sail Overhead


The Common Nighthawk is not actually a hawk but a member of the Nightjar family, described by Roger Tory Peterson as “nocturnal birds with ample tails, large eyes, tiny bills, large bristled gapes, very short legs.” Like a bat, Common Nighthawks feed “on the wing” at dusk and dawn. And most photographs, as this one, capture their image in rest during the day. (Public Domain photo courtesy of Dr. Thomas G. Barnes, University of Kentucky.) However, the nighthawk’s appearance as a slim, stubby-legged individual camouflaged against ground or branch cannot prepare you for its image in the sky—as one of hundreds in migratory flight.

On two successive evenings earlier this month, I watched as hundreds of Common Nighthawks sailed overhead.

Common Nighthawks breed all across this country, far into Canada, and along the western coast of Central America (as depicted in the Range Map provided by Cornell Lab’s All About Birds). But as fall approaches they congregate in large numbers to migrate into South America, where they spend winters.

This year, the sky above my property was on their flight path.

Earlier this month, outside with the dogs at about dusk, I noticed what I first took to be a large mass of migrating blackbirds. But on closer look, I could see these were no blackbirds. Their wings were very long and pointed and their tails were notched. But most noticeable were the white vertical strips toward their wingtips.

Are they hawks? I wondered, rushing in for my binoculars.

Most flew many hundreds of feet in the air, while others flew low enough for my binoculars to catch flashes of their striped buff-colored underbellies. Like many battalions of planes they soared overhead, silent and steadfast, as if on a mission. I stood, craning my neck, watching in wonder.

Only after browsing my bird guides to I discover that these impressive gray-brown birds were none other than Common Nighthawks. Not so common to my eyes.

Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Monday, September 7, 2009

Sharing the Full Moon with Great Horned Owls




The other night, around 10:00 pm, I went outside with the dogs to soak in the radiant light of the fat, full Moon. Almost immediately, I heard an owl's call--that of the Great Horned Owl . . . "hoo-h'HOO--hoo-hoo." (Hear an audio at Cornell Lab's web site, All About Birds.) Owl photo is courtesy of Randolph Femmer from NBII (National Biological Information Infrastructure)

I imitated the call to see if I could coax a response from this, the most impressive of owls. To my utter surprise, I received BOTH a response and a visit by said owl. I looked above to see the silhouette of large bird gliding overhead into the tall hemlock grove beside my house. I didn't initially recognize the impressive wingspan as that of the Great Horned Owl's but knew quickly enough when this serious predator with yellow irises called out again: hoo-h'HOO--hoo-hoo

Incredibly excited, I ran inside to grab my trusty hand-held video, hoping to catch the owl's voice. However, all I caught was Sammy (my sheepdog) barking. Despite the racket Sammy was making, the owl continued to call to me, I thought, somewhat foolishly. Because after shooing Sammy back into the house, I could plainly hear a more distant owl calling in response.

So for some moments I stood quietly listening to these two owls exchanging greetings under a full Moon. A night to remember.

Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher




A few days ago, many birds were active in a hillside grove of wild cherry trees. It was morning and I was walking the dogs. Of course, binoculars hung from a strap around my neck. I always take them with me whenever out on my property because there are always birds to see. This morning the bird that caught my eye flitted among the tree branches, stopping just long enough for me to identify her. (Photo courtesy of Charles H. Warren)

She was a tiny bird (about 4”), pale gray all over with a white stomach, white eyering, and long tail—a female Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. I followed her acrobatic spree from branch to branch, watching as at times she hung upside down while pecking at tiny insects on a yellowing leaf. I kept pace with her as best I could until again focusing in to find that she had acquired a fat moth. This moth looked too big for such a small beak. But I guess she has her methods . . .

Inside again I grabbed my birding log to add the sighting and was happily surprised to see an earlier log. Apparently I had an encounter with this active little gnatcatcher during a springtime visit to Arkansas, when researching book 2 in my trilogy Of the Wing. As I recall the trees were everywhere alive with their sweet, soft “spee, spee, spee.”

How lucky was I that one should come, nearing the season’s end here in Pennsylvania, to give me a last look before migrating south to winter in Central America? Pretty lucky, I think!

Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne