A kettle of migrating hawks
Around 10 to 12 thousand broad-winged hawks will pass over Caesar’s Head State Park between now and early October. As of Sept. 17 only 46 have been recorded. If you have any free time between now and the first of October – a trip to Caesar’s Head could payoff big time!
The Wing Nuts – volunteer hawk counters are happy to share their expertise!
Caesar’s Head is located on U.S. 276 in South Carolina – just South of Brevard, NC.
I’d be curious to know if hawk watchers have ever seen (though high powered binocs or spotting scopes) hawks feeding on migrating monarch butterflies…
Also it seems the monarch migration is dramatically down this year. Has anyone in WNC spotted any yet? And were they nectaring on flowers or sailing, gliding, or heading south in powered flight? Thanks…
Ina – I don’t believe hawks take monarchs because of the toxins. I know of only a few birds that do. I believe cuckoos in N. America and an oriole (sp?) and a grosbeak (black-headed, I believe) in Mexico at wintering sites. The oriole & grosbeak can be particularly devastating to wintering populations. One theory is that the long arduous migration depletes the toxins built up in the monarchs.
I haven’t had the chance to be out much recently – went back over to the dark side – working nights in Ashevegas – I’ve seen a few, here & there, but no concentrations and nothing I would consider migration.
Ciao, Don