October 19 on the Backcountry Trail

Another beautiful day here on the coast, and another day of hawks flying the nose bleed section--way, way up.  Did manage to see a prairie falcon (!), as well as several accipiters, a merlin, vultures and a bald eagle...Ready for some foul weather to push things closer to the ground, though.  Anyway, was a great day on the Trail--lots of families--and some good bird watching, too.

Mid-October Update: Fall Hawk Migration Alabama Gulf Coast 2014

Good afternoon, hawkwatchers!  Its a gorgeous day along the Alabama Gulf coast, with some very pretty, high cirrus clouds and light winds...but, you know what that means--sharpen your eyes, and clean your lenses, 'cause that little spec you see might not be dirt, it may be a raptor cruising at altitudes normally associated with weather balloons--these birds fly high on these bluebird days!

Just spent a few minutes outside, and although I'm not seeing the numbers typical for this week of October, I did manage to spot a few raptors that appeared to be migrating: 3 broad-winged hawks, 1 red-tail, 2 harriers, 1 sharp-shinned hawk, one bald eagle, and numerous vultures (both blacks and turkeys).  This was about 15 minutes of watching...I hope to get out to Fort Morgan next week, and get serious about counting some raptors...will let you know what we see!

October 4 on the Backcountry Trail

Good Morning, Hawk Watchers!  The 2014 Fall Raptor Migration along Alabama's beautiful Gulf coast is officially here!  Spent the morning geocaching with the kids along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail today, and enjoyed the gorgeous Fall weather.  Was a fairly breezy, but sunny day, but still the birds were tending to fly high.  Saw about a dozen broad-winged hawks, some redtails, a few accipiters (sharpies AND Coops), and saw 3 peregrine falcons!  Saw a couple of smaller falcons, thinking they were kestrels. Also saw a couple of adult bald eagles, and one sub-adult.  Numerous vultures, both blacks and turkeys.  This was all in about a two hour period, with sporadic watching.

The weather should be nice all week...so Get out and look up--you are bound to see something exciting!