Ahh, the
Jenner Headlands, FeHa central. aka Merlin alley... in fall the Merlin's fly
fast and swift through the headlands on their annual migration and some take up
seasonal residence. While the over wintering Ferruginous (FEHA) come to stay
for Christmas and the New Year and gives you the rustic orange brilliance that
only it can...
Oh yes, regarding
the Jenner headlands? Did somebody say raptors? . . . There are the Coopers and
Sharp-shinned hawks cruising south for the winter, while the Northern Harriers
glide about. White-tailed Kites do their trademark field identification
demo.
Aside from
the speedy little Merlin, you can see the other three falcons at the Jenner Headlands
as well. Ever had a four falcon day? It
feels good. Aside from the Ferrug’s, the
other soaring hawks or Buteo’s are chiefly Red-tail’s of all ages and morphs,
as well as a few Red-shouldered Hawks and yes we have the Broad-winged Hawk
documented as well.
We are set
to go look for the Rough-legged Hawk, but that is always a tough one, if we get
it, it would be a big deal. We’ve had them though-out Sonoma County, just need
that confirmation in the headlands, I’ve seen them along hwy 1 before the town
of Jenner. Speaking of the town, the Bald Eagles are there now and again, we
had the BAEA, baldies, or Bald Eagles on the Jenner headlands count last year.
We had a few Golden Eagle sightings this year, as well as Osprey. Did I leave any one out? Oh yes. The TUVU! We
did see a lot of Turkey Vulture activity as well, form kettles of a 100, to TV’s
doing aerial stunts with Harriers and Red-tails. One day, after the count was
done and things were winding down in regards to activity, I laid back on my
blanket and looked into the sky, it wasn’t move then 2 or 3 minutes and Mr. (or
Mrs.) T.V. had come down for a closer look, flying a few feet above me, as its
wings created a huge whooshing sound as it sped by….
Also of
note, on the Raptor hikes and Raptor migration counts, we noted a dozen or so
sightings of each, Bobcat and Coyote, the big surprise was the Badger! Caught
on tape!
In regards
to other birds, I really got a kick out of the Rock Wrens, Horned Larks &
Lark sparrows.
Good stuff!
Keep those hikes and migration counts coming SLT and thank-you for making it
happen!
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