Joel and Vicky Simon were hawk counters at Hazel Bazemore Park in Corpus Christi and talked about kettles of 50,000 Broad-wings. I can't even imagine. Anyway, they said the way to count them was to find the top of the kettle then watch where they exit. They stream out and glide to the next thermal. You can accurately count them as they leave the kettle (try practicing with a kettle of vultures) as the swirling mass will drive you nuts. Hope everyone gets to see a kettle of BWHAs!
Tyler Bell
California, Maryland
From: Donald Sweig <>
To:
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 7:34 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Broad-winged Hawks are Coming
Over the next ten days, or so, the big wave of migrating Broad-winged hawks
will pass through the mid-Atlantic states. Broad-wings often migrate in
very large numbers and large groups. At the right time with the right
weather it is possible to see lots of them almost anywhere. Look at the
sky, especially clouds, and preferably with binoculars anytime you can. If
you see a bunch of birds swirling around together in a cloud, or in the
clear sky, you probably have a kettle of Broad-wings. I have seen very
large concentrations of Broad-wings even over congested Northern Virgina.
If it gets windy go to the hawk watches. Snickers Gap in No. Va. is often
good for Broad-wings, especially on N.E.winds; and Rockfish Gap on I-64
west of Charlottesville is an excellent hawk watch with folks to help you
find the birds. There are also excellent hawk watches within an easy drive
in Maryland (Washington Monument Park), and in Pennsylvania ( Waggoner's Gap
and others) . Seeing 50, or 100, or even 500, Broad-wings at the same time
in a cloud is a memorable experience.
Note: On the 19th of Sept. last year (2010) three other birders and I were
in the right place at the right time. Just by chance, while looking for
other birds, we had a veritable river of Broad-wings with numerous kettles,
pass over us in the sky over the upper meadow at Riverbend Park, in Fairfax
County. We watched them come over for over 45 minutes; at least 2,000
birds. Pure chance, and pure joy.
SO, KEEP LOOKING!
GOOD HAWKING!!
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.
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