Flying with hawks

Sunday was a beautiful soaring day here in the northeast. Raptors are beginning to fly south and I was fortunate enough to share three different thermals/cloud streets with kettles of what I believe were red tails. There were only 15-20 in each, small as these things go, but still a wonderful sight. Not that I needed it but what a great reminder of what makes our sport so special. Those poor groundlings.

We had the same thing last week up here in Ontario. Flying along the north shore of Lake Erie puts one right on the migration route for the hawks. Every cloud seemed to have 20-50 Broadtail Hawks and we flew with them all day. I always look forward to flights at this time of year to fly with the hawks.

On Tuesday, September 25, 2012 7:47:53 PM UTC-4, Dave Springford wrote:
We had the same thing last week up here in Ontario. Flying along the north shore of Lake Erie puts one right on the migration route for the hawks. Every cloud seemed to have 20-50 Broadtail Hawks and we flew with them all day. I always look forward to flights at this time of year to fly with the hawks.

Pretty sure you both saw Broad-winged Hawks. Span 34" "Migrants gather in large flocks along favored routes." -The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Sibley.

Jack Wyman
Raptor Enclosure Builder for Raptor Rehabilitator/Spouse

Broad-winged it was - misspoke when I said broad-tail, but I was close.

Also saw about 4 bald eagles that day along the north shore of Lake Erie on their way south too.

In the mountains of the West, the turkey vultures are starting their migration South. Saw a mob during flight on Sunday, and today a huge column working an early thermal.
Jim

Had a young Golden Eagle fly with us about two weeks ago. It was sitting just above and behind my canopy. Was beautiful, but made me a little nervous.. I could see it flex it's talons now and then. It followed me for about fifteen minutes and then when DW joined the thermal under me it flew over to his glider and flew with him for awhile. I gave seen them follow gliders before both in thermals and even on the run.

On Tuesday, September 25, 2012 2:24:16 PM UTC-4, (unknown) wrote:
Sunday was a beautiful soaring day here in the northeast. Raptors are beginning to fly south and I was fortunate enough to share three different thermals/cloud streets with kettles of what I believe were red tails. There were only 15-20 in each, small as these things go, but still a wonderful sight. Not that I needed it but what a great reminder of what makes our sport so special. Those poor groundlings.

More likely Broadwings, which travel in large groups. Last weekend I spotted a Bald Eagle, Osprey, Black Vultures, and numerous Broadwings in a single flight.

I suspect that the best compliment for a soaring pilot is a hawk or eagle joining YOUR thermal.
Happens once in a while for us over the Davis Mountains near Marfa in southwest Texas.
Swallow-Tail Kites are always amazing to watch maneuver in thermals.

Finally, watch this wonderful short video of hawks and paragliders called "Parahawks":
http://www.youtube.com/v/pd5BMP_41bI...%26version%3d3

Burt
Marfa, Texas, USA