Dear reader,
I could have saved time and space by abbreviating the words: soaring, flapping, and gliding - to become S,F,G. My idea of writing the words in full was to let the words become more noticeable and possibly more valuable in their expression. There are about 800 species of birds in North America, and it has been said that every bird moves its wings in a different manner. I would think we can classify many birds by the way they hold their wings, not only in a glide, but also as they soar.
To take it one step further, we can use a device to record the wings in action. This step is dependant upon the lighting conditions and the distance to the bird. Once we gather that information, we certainly will need a computer program to analyze the information. Remember: there are 800 species of birds in North America.
Once a Northern Goshawk (NG), or (it might be a Cooper's Hawk) moves its wings: that bird gives-up information leading to the identification of the bird. And the device doing the interpretation is our eyes and brain. And again, as long as the lighting and the distance is not prohibitive. This is why the single word 'flapping' is so important in my reports.
I think you can take this to the bank - Cooper's Hawks cannot move their wings in a relaxed manner. This is for sure - NG have 3 modes of flight (wing movements): active flight, with deep wing beats; active flight, with shallow, snappy wing beats; inactive flight (leisure flight) with deep, relaxed wing beats, or inactive flight, with wing beats that are not so deep.
There are more than 18 parameters that I can use, that help to identify NG (in flight). If you use coloring, on the ventral area of accipiters, in order to make an identification: in most cases , are you are working with accepted procedures, (but in some cases) watch- out!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
explanation of text
La Hacienda RV Park = RVP; all the locations mentioned are near the RVP; every area mentioned can be considered to hook-up with at least 3 other areas (that are mentioned).
4 Northern Goshawks for breakfast
1 December 2005 7:00 a.m.
No photos were taken, however, I had 4 Northern Goshawks for breakfast!
Number 1 came over the golf course at 75 to 100 feet elevation. The bird was well toward my left, as it crossed Route 60, to get into the high school area; time, 7:00 a.m. Observation time about 2 minutes.
At about 7:04 a.m., toward my front: in a tight group were 3 NG, heading toward me, travelling parallel to Ironwood Road. The birds were about 100 to 125 to 150 feet elevation, respectively. The birds were seen in 1 glass. then all 3 swung left- then they swung toward the right. The birds were heading over or into the RVP. The birds were observed for 2 to 3 minutes.
I departed Apache Junction, and arrived in Tucson, December,1 2005.
NOTE: every sighting was at or near the RVP.
No photos were taken, however, I had 4 Northern Goshawks for breakfast!
Number 1 came over the golf course at 75 to 100 feet elevation. The bird was well toward my left, as it crossed Route 60, to get into the high school area; time, 7:00 a.m. Observation time about 2 minutes.
At about 7:04 a.m., toward my front: in a tight group were 3 NG, heading toward me, travelling parallel to Ironwood Road. The birds were about 100 to 125 to 150 feet elevation, respectively. The birds were seen in 1 glass. then all 3 swung left- then they swung toward the right. The birds were heading over or into the RVP. The birds were observed for 2 to 3 minutes.
I departed Apache Junction, and arrived in Tucson, December,1 2005.
NOTE: every sighting was at or near the RVP.
30 November 2005 7:00 a.m.
I took the high ground to better understand where the NG were roosting.(Where are they coming from?). My position was on the overpass (Route 60 and Ironwood); southeast quadrant. The first bird was a NG, at 7:00 a. m. The bird was coming from the Baseline Road, golf course area; as I had expected. The bird was over my position at about 50 feet up and to my left, and veering toward me. I took three photos. 1 photo was deleted (in camera). About 1 minute later, 2 NG passed my position and went toward the high school area.
From my reports the case was - I knew Apache Junction had 3 NG; 2 females, and 1 was mature - and 1 male (with a square- tipped tail). Then the shocker, at about 7:o4 a.m. A large accipiter came low, toward my position. 1 photo was taken (a NG); the 4th! Then off to my left were 2, possibly 3, large accipiters crossing Route 60 to get toward the high school and business district. The photos are assigned: 4a-4b and 5.
I took the high ground to better understand where the NG were roosting.(Where are they coming from?). My position was on the overpass (Route 60 and Ironwood); southeast quadrant. The first bird was a NG, at 7:00 a. m. The bird was coming from the Baseline Road, golf course area; as I had expected. The bird was over my position at about 50 feet up and to my left, and veering toward me. I took three photos. 1 photo was deleted (in camera). About 1 minute later, 2 NG passed my position and went toward the high school area.
From my reports the case was - I knew Apache Junction had 3 NG; 2 females, and 1 was mature - and 1 male (with a square- tipped tail). Then the shocker, at about 7:o4 a.m. A large accipiter came low, toward my position. 1 photo was taken (a NG); the 4th! Then off to my left were 2, possibly 3, large accipiters crossing Route 60 to get toward the high school and business district. The photos are assigned: 4a-4b and 5.
29 November 2005 7:00 a.m., 7:01 a.m., 7:10 a. m.
3 sightings - of 3 or 2 NG.
2 NG were flying in tandem. The first bird, from the south, was hunting low over the high school, and appeared to go down in the scrub field on Ironwood and Southern. The second NG came 150 feet over the high school and veered left into the scrub field behind Osco's. The third sighting of NG; the bird came from the south at about 100 feet elevation, between my position and the school, then veered behind Osco's. It is possible that the first bird swung around, all the way past Rout 60, and made another run. My position was in the barren field next to Saguaro RV Park.
3 sightings - of 3 or 2 NG.
2 NG were flying in tandem. The first bird, from the south, was hunting low over the high school, and appeared to go down in the scrub field on Ironwood and Southern. The second NG came 150 feet over the high school and veered left into the scrub field behind Osco's. The third sighting of NG; the bird came from the south at about 100 feet elevation, between my position and the school, then veered behind Osco's. It is possible that the first bird swung around, all the way past Rout 60, and made another run. My position was in the barren field next to Saguaro RV Park.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
26 November 2005 7:00 a.m.
2 NG: "going to work". The birds were overhead at RVP. The birds were rapidly heading north, at about 150 feet elevation. The birds were in tandem. They were about 1 minute apart, both at the same elevation.
Also, at 2:30 p.m.
1 female NG: coming from the golf course. The bird went very low over the the tops of scrub trees in field. I chased the bird (on bike) for 20 minutes; over the middle school, houses, condos, resorts, and gas stations.
2 NG: "going to work". The birds were overhead at RVP. The birds were rapidly heading north, at about 150 feet elevation. The birds were in tandem. They were about 1 minute apart, both at the same elevation.
Also, at 2:30 p.m.
1 female NG: coming from the golf course. The bird went very low over the the tops of scrub trees in field. I chased the bird (on bike) for 20 minutes; over the middle school, houses, condos, resorts, and gas stations.
20 November 2005 9:30 a.m.
1 NG: hunting. At RVP. The bird was low, over the park.
Also, at 3:15 p.m.: 1 mature NG, high over the park. The bird was soaring and flapping, and was in hunting mode.
Also, at 4:30 p.m.: 1 female NG, hunting, near the park, over Route 60. Elevation of the bird about 150 feet.
1 NG: hunting. At RVP. The bird was low, over the park.
Also, at 3:15 p.m.: 1 mature NG, high over the park. The bird was soaring and flapping, and was in hunting mode.
Also, at 4:30 p.m.: 1 female NG, hunting, near the park, over Route 60. Elevation of the bird about 150 feet.
18 November 2005
(2 female NG at RVP) : I took 3 photos of the same bird (in flight).Observation time: 5 minutes.
1 hour later (the actual time was not recorded), at 1/2 mile north of RVP(near Osco's Store): 1 female NG. Observation time: 5 minutes. In both cases the birds were soaring, flapping, and gliding.
(2 female NG at RVP) : I took 3 photos of the same bird (in flight).Observation time: 5 minutes.
1 hour later (the actual time was not recorded), at 1/2 mile north of RVP(near Osco's Store): 1 female NG. Observation time: 5 minutes. In both cases the birds were soaring, flapping, and gliding.
Friday, July 27, 2007
3 November 2005 before sunrise
A large accipiter, quite high; rapidly pumping, and gliding; heading toward the suburbs and business district.
Also 3 November 2005 3:30 p.m.
1 mature male Northern Goshawk (NG); approximately 50 feet overhead. The bird was in hunting mode; soaring, flapping, and gliding. The bird had a square-tipped tail, with no terminal band. A female NG was hunting at the same elevation; 100 yards away.
At 4:00 p.m., the female was going away from the business district, at an elevation of about 200 feet; pumping and gliding.
A large accipiter, quite high; rapidly pumping, and gliding; heading toward the suburbs and business district.
Also 3 November 2005 3:30 p.m.
1 mature male Northern Goshawk (NG); approximately 50 feet overhead. The bird was in hunting mode; soaring, flapping, and gliding. The bird had a square-tipped tail, with no terminal band. A female NG was hunting at the same elevation; 100 yards away.
At 4:00 p.m., the female was going away from the business district, at an elevation of about 200 feet; pumping and gliding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)