While not as focused or scientific as a dedicated Hawk Watch, keeping your eyes to the sky over our Front Range cities can yield some fun results. Aside from resident local COOPER’S and RED-TAILED HAWKs around our neighborhood in southwest Denver (Athmar Park/Huston Park, Denver Co., CO), we picked up two, maybe three instances of migrating raptors in town over the past few days. The first obvious movement came Saturday morning (24 Sept.’22) as we were having coffee on our deck. In a matter of about 15 minutes we had two (2) beautiful “Dark Phase” SWAINSON’S HAWKs, and three (3) AMERICAN KESTRELs all flying fairly low and deliberately south.
The next instance came Sunday evening (25 Sept.’22) at Mile High Stadium during the Broncos game! As we were watching the parachutists drop in during the pre-game festivities, notice an immature PEREGRINE FALCON circling above the stadium as well, hoping the skydivers and falcon noticed each other while giving a knowing wink. In addition to the Peregrine, two (2) different Kestrels also made appearances over the game. While all these falcons, plus a random NORTHERN FLICKER flying through, could be locals, they added some additional interest to a frustratingly dull offense.
Most recently yesterday morning (Tues., 27 Sept.’22), noticed a large raptor circling very high over our house. Ran in to grabbed the binoculars and located another “Dark Phase” Swainson’s Hawk riding a thermal along with someone’s lost mylar balloon. With specs in hand also picked up a Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, and an immature SHARP-SHINNED HAWK all riding the same thermal system while slowly coasting south – the balloon must have been a resident as it eventually drifted northwest.
So the moral of this story is, take the time to look up occasionally wherever you are, you might just experience Nature in action.
Good Birding and Go Broncos,
Doug
Currently Coeur d’Alene, ID (just got in from Denver)
No comments:
Post a Comment