My husband Jim and I were able to visit the Hawk Watch on Sunday April 5 and want to give you an armchair experience. The day was mostly sunny, 42 degrees, with a light westerly breeze – just enough that we finally wised up and moved our lawn chairs to the EAST side of our car. We had parked about 30 yards past the other two cars there and waved and shouted hello to the data-gatherers.
Shortly after our late-morning arrival, a kettle of hawks formed overhead. The birds seemed to appear out of nowhere and gather in a big spiral. We managed to spot about three dozen of the 1,315 Red-tailed Hawks counted by Kevin Georg that day. So far, he has tallied 11,304 of these birds! A highlight for us that morning was a leucistic (near-albino) Red-tail. At first I thought it was a gull, but a closer look revealed its identity. Steve Baker took a nice snapshot of it.
Steve also made up this diagram of the identifying characteristics of soaring Red-tails. Look for the shape, particularly the bulging ‘muscular’ wings. The long primary feathers, those that sometimes spread apart and look like fingers, are longer in the middle area of the wing, creating a gentle outward curve. Plus, watch for the patagial marks, a dark color on the front of the wing.
Today just west of Pellston we saw a Red-tailed Hawk hunting in the woods. Watch your area for these and for other inspiring avian sights as the birds migrate and begin their nesting cycles. Remember that it’s easy to click on the MSRW Research and Data tab, which takes you right to the table where Kevin posts the daily numbers. You will discover when the first Black Vulture of the season was seen and can check on your other favorite raptors. Stay safe and healthy this month. (submitted by Kathy Bricker)
