Bird Calendars

NOTES FROM NATURE

By Jerry Toll

Hitchcock Hawkwatch Summary for 2002

After a fairy unremarkable 2001 season, Hitchcock's hawkwatchers experienced a surprising, exciting, frustrating, and quite noteworthy season in 2002. Previous site records for coverage hours, overall total of migrating raptors and vultures counted, and diversity of flight were all surpassed. No less than 20 species of raptors and vultures were seen, and the overall total was 8,714 migrating raptors/vultures for the season.

The bird of the season was a lone Black Vulture, the first ever Hitchcock record, that passed on September 22. For the fourth year in a row, a single Ferruginous Hawk was recorded. It passed on October 31, the earliest in the season on record. Both of these species must first be accepted by the Iowa Ornithologists Union Records Committee to become an official part of our permanent record.

Six species surpassed previous records of total number of individuals seen in migration during the season. Three new one-day records for individual species were also established. For American Kestrel, the old one-day record of 30 was eclipsed on September 10 when 44 were counted. That record was surpassed October 4 with a count of 45. The old Sharp-shinned Hawk one-day record of 126 was broken on September 29 when 141 Sharp-shinneds were seen. Two Prairie Falcons, never common at Hitchcock, whizzed past October 12, setting a new one-day record surpassing the old record of, you guessed it, one.

Species Accounts (Asterisk denotes new season record of individuals)

1. Black Vulture* 1. This lone vulture was the first of its kind to be seen in Iowa since 1959.

2. Turkey Vulture: 1,604. This species posted an 18% decline from last year. Weather patterns were probably the reason. During peak times there were fewer sunny days with sustained south breezes that this species prefers during migration.

3. Mississippi Kite 15. We didn't set a record, but it was definitely a good season. Drought years seem to promote post-breeding northward dispersal of this species.

4. Bald Eagle* 787. A runaway record, up 1/3 from last year. They began in mid-September, early for BE, and trickled through in October with an above normal migration in November and December (400+ and 200+ respectively).

5. Osprey 71. Overall numbers were up 26% from last year but fairly typical for the watch.

6. Northern Harrier 156. Pretty typical migration. Of interest was the timespan. The first appeared August 17 and the last one was seen November 10. Their migration is usually more condensed.

7. Sharp-shinned Hawk 937. This represents a 10% increase over last year, but increased coverage (hours spent watching) accounts for most of the difference.

8. Cooper's Hawk* 199. This surpassed the previous record by one! A summer breeding survey revealed what we'd guessed, that HNC had a nesting pair of Cooper's Hawk.

9. Northern Goshawk 5. This species is always uncommon at HNC and was even more so this year.

10. Red-shouldered Hawk 3. A rare migrant to the Hawkwatch; some years none are seen.

11. Broad-wing Hawk* 434. Up 40% over last year. Normally a species that migrates during a short period. A few first appeared August 15, and the last were seen October

12. Four dark morph Broad-wings are included, the first since 1994 at HNC.

12. Swainson's Hawk* 1,914. A whopping increase of 284% over 2002. A peak flight of 1,054 occurred October 2. HNC is on the edge of their possible migration routes. When weather conditions are right, large numbers can be seen.

13. Red-tailed Hawk 2,207. A disappointing flight, down 25% from last year. Again, weather related. When strong fronts don't funnel them past Hitchcok, they migrate over a broader area.

14. Ferruginous Hawk 1. Some years we see one, some years we don't.

15. Rough-legged Hawk 23. Low count but not uncommon.

16. Golden Eagle* 17. A new season record.

17. American Kestrel* 224. Kestrels usually migrate on a broad front and over the valley where they are less likely to be seen. This year we had an unusually high number migrate in close.

18. Merlin 28. In a typical year, the subspecies seen are fairly evenly split between taiga and prairie. this year the taiga form seemed to predominate.

19. Prairie Falcon 2. Both seen in one day, October 12.

20. Peregrine Falcon 33. Up only slightly over last year. October 4 was the best day when seven were seen.

Coverage increased to 427 hours over the course of 93 days out of 135 days possible That works out to about 20.4 raptors seen per hour.

The Hawkwatch would not continue to improve year after year if it weren't for a dedicated core of volunteers who take pleasure being there not only on those days when it is sunny and warm but also when the wind is howling and the temperature is dropping. Ever hopeful, we know that it may be the day for a big flight. Thanks to all who have spent time watching the sky.

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