Migration of large raptors

were they in V formation? Sandhill Cranes?

 

ChickensAreSweet, if you do not mind me asking; is that picture in your avatar from Yellowstone National park from in from the Moose Juction, WY side?

 

Wasn't it a beautiful , beautiful site?
I witnessed such a site right over my place in 2009 it took a week for all them to pass.
I learned they were broad shouldered hawks and were 129 miles off course off their regular migration path.

It was a beautiful site but scared the birds into hiding all week.

 

I saw the same kind of thing and I'm way down here in Alabama. My husband and I were mowing grass when a flock of birds came over. I thought they were starlings and I was going to get a poop shower but as they approached I knew they were hawks. As they flew over us, they began to circle and circle. My husband said it looked like the debris field from a tornado. There were close to 200 of them. A small group would break away and circle then rejoin the rest. I have never heard or read about hawks displaying this kind of behaviour. I've asked the old timers at work and they have never heard of this. I'm glad you wrote about it so I know I was not dreaming. And I KNOW they were hawks.

Lisa

 

hehe, fair enough. I do believe it is that place though, which is strange because it is one heck of a hike to get there. It is close to Jackon Lake in Yellowstone NP.

Look close at the smooth snow, that is the river, just frozen.

 

Turkey buzzards are currently migrating south, here in the Central Valley and Sierra Foothills of California.

Daily flights of HUGE numbers pass over (and circle with interest) my property. The geese, ducks and roosters are very wary of them, calling alerts to the flock. I don't think live prey is something turkey buzzards are concerned about, as they are carrion eaters. However, I still make MY presence known by standing in the yard when I see 'em. They tend to resume migration when they see me.