Saturday, August 21, 2004

Raptor-Rapture!
Paso de Ovejas, Veracruz
The fall 2004 raptor migrations have begun. From the roof top and balcony of my rented apartment here is Paso de Ovejas, (MAP) I may have the best seat in the house for the observation of migrating raptors. On the 8-17 and 8-18 I observed over 140 Mississippi Kites and 10 Swallow-tailed kites in five hours of viewing.
In one “stream” I counted 40 Mississippi kites and 5 Swallow-tailed Kites.
From my
rooftop, I have a virtually uninterrupted 360 degree view. (Sunrise Paso de Ovejas)

Photo 1

Photo2

Photo3




It’s great to read the HAWKCOUNT reports from all the hard working teams in the US.
I love the names, Cranberry Marsh, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Allegheny Front, Wildcat Ridge, Waggoner's Gap, Bake Oven Knob, Second Mountain. I try to imagine what the hawkwatch sites must look like.

I also read with great interest the hawkwatch reports of Patty Waits Beasley from Corpus Christi, TX (Chocolate anyone?)
Corpus Christi movements provide me with a good ideas of possible raptor flows with two to three days anticipation.

In July I was able to photograph a juvenile Northern Potoo located a short distance from Paso de Ovejas. Here are some of the photos:
View 1
View 2
View 3
View 4
View 5

Well, this is it for the moment,

Good birding

David

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