I first learned of migrating hawks last year when I was apple picking with my family. There were two guys laying flat on their backs looking
straight up through binoculars. They were calling out names of hawks to a third guy who was writing down what they were saying.
Being curious I had to ask them what they were doing. They explained that they were members of Hawk Count, an
organization that tracks raptor migrations and evaluates their population changes from year to year.
Being new to bird watching I asked them if they could give me a few tips
for watching hawks during their migration. Here’s what they had to say.
- Hawk migration starts in early September and runs through the end of October.
- Hawks are most active on clear, sunny days with mild northwest, north or northeast winds.
- Find a tall structure, hill or mountain top that has a good view to the north as that is the direction that the hawks will be coming from.
- Using binoculars that are at least 8 power, scan slowly back and forth across the sky at various heights to locate the hawks.
- Keep a good field guide handy to help identify the migrating hawks you see. Most of the hawks you see will be pretty small so knowing hawk shapes to help you identify them.
I spent a few hours last night on my deck staring into the sky and I saw the following:
3 - Red-tailed hawks
2 - Nighthawks
5 - Broad-wing hawks
If you want to see an amazing story about what you might see while hawk watching check out this story,
1541 Hawks.
If you want to have some fun and add a few raptors to you 2008 bird list, look up!
Attracting birds to your bird feeders and bird baths will be easier if the birds feel safe in your yard. The best way to make them feel safe is to provide shelter.
Wild birds need shelter to escape predators, for protection from bad weather, a place to nest and a place to sleep. You may think that hanging a bird house is the only way to provide birds with shelter, but there are many natural ways you can accomplish this.
Birds seek shelter in many places like trees, bushes, vines, brush piles, tree cavities, under leaves, in tall grass, in rocks, under the eaves of your house and bird houses. Here are some trees you can plant to attract birds.
Many birds will take seed from your bird feeders and eat it in a place where they feel safe. You can keep the birds in view by creating shelter near your feeders. Try planting a few low growing shrubs under your feeders or just create a brush pile when cleaning your yard this fall.
When you take down your Christmas tree in January place it near your feeders. The birds will appreciate the safe haven. You can create even more interest by hanging homemade birdseed ornaments on your recycled Christmas tree.
Bird houses and roosting boxes are other ways to provide shelter for birds. I’ll cover those options in a few days.
Over Labor Day weekend my wife and I took the kids to Wallis Sands State Beach in New Hampshire. It was our farewell to summer. We had perfect weather for a day at the beach. I was able to break away a few times to do a little bird watching. I have to admit that although I have been a backyard birder for years I am still a novice when it comes to bird watching in the field.
I am familiar with all the wild birds that visit my yard but I have a lot to learn when it comes to identifying wild birds that I don’t recognize. I will do my best to identify the birds in the pictures below. If you see an error PLEASE let me know.
Below are a some pictures of a few of the birds I saw. I also saw:
Cat Bird
Cardinal
Great Blue Heron
Black Capped Chickadee
I still have a lot to learn when it comes to wild bird identification. If you have any tips for me and my other readers, please use the comment area below.
Eastern Kingbird
Young Killdeer
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Northern Mockingbird
I had bird feeders in my yard for six years before adding a bird bath. I’m not sure why I guess I just never thought that birds would be attracted to water.
To my surprise my bird bath attracted birds that normally did not visit my feeders, wrens, orioles and warblers. Something else I didn’t expect was that it was fun watching birds enjoy the water in my bird bath.
Over time I have added a few more water sources to my yard including a ground level bird bath (great for robins) and mister. I hoped to attract hummingbirds to the mister but I haven’t had any luck yet.
Depending on your level of interest you can add a simple bird bath or you can create an oasis for birds with a pond or water fall.
When placing your bird bath be sure it is in an area that receives afternoon shade. It is also a good idea to place it in an area where birds can find cover and protection from predators.
If you live in a cold climate, like I do, then you may be surprised to know that fresh water is harder for birds to find in the winter than in the summer. Birds that are searching for open water in the winter are likely to find your heated bird bath. Once they do, they will probably visit it all winter long.
If you haven’t tried a using a bird bath now is the perfect time. You can probably great deal this time of year at your local garden or home center.
