Jewel Basin Hawk Watch 2023

As summer time wanes in later August, my fellow hen nerds and I get excited for an annual occasion, raptor migration. Not like many hen species that migrate at night time, raptors corresponding to hawks, eagles, and falcons, select the day time alongside mountain ridges the place they will journey currents and updrafts. This protects precious power as they head in the direction of their winter grounds.

Internationally, official hawk watch websites are set as much as rely this spectacle. Within the Flathead Valley, there are three such websites. Two are positioned in Glacier Nationwide Park (one on the shoulder of Mt. Brown and the opposite on the Lake McDonald Lodge wanting up) and the opposite is alongside the ridge within the Jewel Basin Mountaineering Space.

Whereas each websites have mainly the identical hen species, the distribution is completely different. Mt. Brown tends to have a disproportionate quantity of Golden Eagles whereas the Jewel Basin Hawk Watch Website tends to have largely accipiters, or forest hawks, particularly the Sharp-shinned Hawk.

I had the fortune of being the first observer for our first survey in August and wrapped issues up on November 1st. I took my digicam up on the final day to share with you the unbelievable spot. Whereas a lot of my mountain climbing entails going to a vacation spot, hanging out for a bit, then heading again with stops alongside the best way, doing a hawk watch rely is exclusive in that that we hike to a spot and keep there for 4-6 hours.

The serendipity of what raptors will come by is at all times thrilling, nevertheless it’s not all concerning the raptors. Many track birds will whiz by the websites, grouse cluck via the beargrass, and generally flocks of geese and pelicans may be seen. The mammals are enjoyable as nicely. This 12 months we had sightings of black bears and bobcats on the drive up with moose and mountain goats on the path.

I additionally bought a brand new digicam which I’m studying to make use of and might be speaking about extra sooner or later as a substitute mountain climbing digicam. It’s tough in spots, however I’m figuring it out!