For the 17th year in a row, Hal "Hawk Guy" Cohen will lead the Borrego Hawkwatch group effort to document the annual migration of the Swainson's Hawks through the Borrego Valley. At this time the migration has begun, and increased numbers of hawks are expected to be counted as we go through March.

Migrating Swainson's Hawks can often be identified from afar by their distinctive "kettleing" flight pattern.

 

Prior to Hal's efforts to begin counting the migrating raptors, little was known about the birds and their annual long-distance movements. The Swainson's Hawks perform one of the longest-distance migrations of any bird species known, travelling annually from the southern portions of South America all the way to Canada and back. A certain contingent of them travel north through the Borrego Valley, feeding on caterpillars and flying insects as they do.

The Hawks usually travel in groups, sometimes very large, and can often be identified by their distinctive "kettleing" behavior. As the groups of big birds descend into the valley to feed and roost overnight, they form a spiraling flight pattern, recreating the formation as they begin their ascension up and out of the valley in the mornings.

Photos Courtesy of Borrego Valley Hawkwatch Blog.

Over the years the average number of hawks counted has been about 4700 for the migration season that begins in late February and ends in early April. The most ever counted was 11,795 in 2017, a year that ample rain brought plenty of vegetation to the valley, and an abundance of caterpillars and insects to go with it. 

You can follow the progress of the watch project and see amazing photography of the beautiful birds at http://borregohawkwatch.blogspot.com/

If you would like to volunteer to help with the daily watch teams, which gather each morning and evening to document the migration, contact Hal at [email protected].