Island Girl safely made it through all of the bad weather I am happy to report.
On Tuesday, she flew 225 km (140 miles) NNE through the state and nearly reached the border with Kansas.
This was her 35th day of migration. She has flown 10,001 km (6,215 miles) since leaving Chile on 18 April, although she has actually flown much farther if you consider all of her hunting flights, detours and jogs en route north.
She finally roosted in a greenbelt situated along the Medicine Lodge River just 7 km (4 miles) from the Kansas border. She was in some pretty flat farmland at an elevation of 1,218 ' and just north of the Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, critical habitat for Whooping Cranes.
It appears that she slept in a tree near the edge of the forest and quite near a small pond with a nicely sloping beach that looks ideal for bathing.
Wonder if she cleaned up here.
22 May, 2013
21 May, 2013
Island Girl and the Moore, Oklahoma tornado
Island Girl flew NNE yesterday and crossed into Oklahoma, perhaps around the time the tornado was touching down in Moore, just south of Oklahoma City.
She flew 349 km (217 miles) while facing strong northerly headwinds from the weather system that spawned the tornado. By evening, she was about 150 km (93 miles) west of Moore and Oklahoma City. So she relatively was close to all that remarkable devastation.
She roosted in a row of trees bordering a small meandering creek in open farmland near Highway 183. Her elevation was 1,549'.
We don't know much, if anything, about how migrant peregrines react to such a massive atmospheric event. Have peregrines been killed by tornadoes? If a tornado overcame them at night, it could be fatal depending on the proximity of the funnel cloud.
During the day, if peregrines were to get too close to the debris field of an active tornado (there were reports of debris falling a mile or more on each side of this tornado at its peak), a falcon could be hit by materials in the air.
Would a falcon alter its migratory course in the face of a funnel cloud and the surrounding aerial debris? It seems likely that they would recognize the threat and react accordingly. But funnel clouds can drop out of the sky very rapidly. Some are nearly invisible until they hit the ground and kick up debris.
What about breeding falcons like American Kestrels in this case? Kestrels would be the only species nesting in Oklahoma at this time. I don't believe that Prairie Falcons nest this far east.
Most kestrels nest inside cavities of varying types like holes in trees, buildings or even holes in cliffs. Unless it was a direct hit, it would seem they would be protected. Nest boxes? Maybe not depending on the force of the wind.
In any case, Island Girl was a bit too close to this event for me. But, thankfully, it looks like she made it OK.
She flew 349 km (217 miles) while facing strong northerly headwinds from the weather system that spawned the tornado. By evening, she was about 150 km (93 miles) west of Moore and Oklahoma City. So she relatively was close to all that remarkable devastation.
She roosted in a row of trees bordering a small meandering creek in open farmland near Highway 183. Her elevation was 1,549'.
We don't know much, if anything, about how migrant peregrines react to such a massive atmospheric event. Have peregrines been killed by tornadoes? If a tornado overcame them at night, it could be fatal depending on the proximity of the funnel cloud.
During the day, if peregrines were to get too close to the debris field of an active tornado (there were reports of debris falling a mile or more on each side of this tornado at its peak), a falcon could be hit by materials in the air.
Would a falcon alter its migratory course in the face of a funnel cloud and the surrounding aerial debris? It seems likely that they would recognize the threat and react accordingly. But funnel clouds can drop out of the sky very rapidly. Some are nearly invisible until they hit the ground and kick up debris.
What about breeding falcons like American Kestrels in this case? Kestrels would be the only species nesting in Oklahoma at this time. I don't believe that Prairie Falcons nest this far east.
Most kestrels nest inside cavities of varying types like holes in trees, buildings or even holes in cliffs. Unless it was a direct hit, it would seem they would be protected. Nest boxes? Maybe not depending on the force of the wind.
In any case, Island Girl was a bit too close to this event for me. But, thankfully, it looks like she made it OK.
20 May, 2013
Island Girl Sets A Record For the Season As She Flies Into the US
Island Girl crossed the US border into Texas yesterday.
She flew 551 km (342 miles) during the day, a new record for this season. She also changed her heading to north as she crosses the Great Plains states. Traditionally, this is where all of our satellite tagged migrant peregrines really turn on the speed.
Don McCall writes that she has covered 1,393 km (866 miles) during the last three days. I would not be surprised if she had another long day today. We'll see tomorrow.
The national news tells of lots of tornadoes happening in middle America right now. Hopefully none are coming her way.
She ended up for the night about 30 miles SSW of Abilene, Texas, in an area of dry farmland. GE shows cotton fields in this area.
Her signal is very close to two large transmission towers and it seems likely that she slept there.
GE is so amazing. Zoom in and look closely and you can see the individual electrical cables coming off these towers.
Too bad none of us are chasing her as she slept within 500 feet of a main road, Route 83. It would have been no problem finding her.
Just heard on the news tonight that she was within 250 miles, probably less, from the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado today. If you haven't heard this was a mile wide tornado of the highest category that slammed into the city.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. So sad.
She flew 551 km (342 miles) during the day, a new record for this season. She also changed her heading to north as she crosses the Great Plains states. Traditionally, this is where all of our satellite tagged migrant peregrines really turn on the speed.
Don McCall writes that she has covered 1,393 km (866 miles) during the last three days. I would not be surprised if she had another long day today. We'll see tomorrow.
The national news tells of lots of tornadoes happening in middle America right now. Hopefully none are coming her way.
She ended up for the night about 30 miles SSW of Abilene, Texas, in an area of dry farmland. GE shows cotton fields in this area.
Her signal is very close to two large transmission towers and it seems likely that she slept there.
GE is so amazing. Zoom in and look closely and you can see the individual electrical cables coming off these towers.
Too bad none of us are chasing her as she slept within 500 feet of a main road, Route 83. It would have been no problem finding her.
Just heard on the news tonight that she was within 250 miles, probably less, from the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado today. If you haven't heard this was a mile wide tornado of the highest category that slammed into the city.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. So sad.
19 May, 2013
Leaving the Tropics, Paralleling Texas
Island Girl increased her speed yesterday, right on schedule. She flew 528 km (328 miles), one of her longest days of the season so far. In fact, I just checked and this was her second best day of the migration this year. Earlier, she traveled slightly farther while crossing from Costa Rica into Nicaragua (532 km or 330 miles).
She crossed over the Tropic of Cancer right away, leaving Ciudad Victoria behind her, and continued to fly north across the arid flat lands of NE Mexico.
She flew far enough north to have reached the US but stayed west of the Rio Grande eventually stopping in an arid agricultural area near the Rio Salado in Mexico about 50 km west of the border town of Laredo. Her latitude was equivalent to North Padre Island, Texas.
She slept on what looks like some sort of pole (based on the shadow in GE) next to an irrigation canal and a small bridge. Her elevation was just 620'.
Looks like she would have arrived in the US sometime today.
She crossed over the Tropic of Cancer right away, leaving Ciudad Victoria behind her, and continued to fly north across the arid flat lands of NE Mexico.
She flew far enough north to have reached the US but stayed west of the Rio Grande eventually stopping in an arid agricultural area near the Rio Salado in Mexico about 50 km west of the border town of Laredo. Her latitude was equivalent to North Padre Island, Texas.
She slept on what looks like some sort of pole (based on the shadow in GE) next to an irrigation canal and a small bridge. Her elevation was just 620'.
Looks like she would have arrived in the US sometime today.
18 May, 2013
Passing Tampico
Island Girl is migrating well inland as she usually does along this stage of her migration. I am not sure why she does this. Why is she not following the Gulf coastline where the bird life is abundant? That is what we are used to at South Padre Island, Texas, where migrant peregrines have been studied for decades. But that is simply what she does every spring. Her northbound migration seems to be far more consistent than her southbound flights.
So she continued up the broad coastal plain again on Friday. She passed by the city of Tampico and was approaching Ciudad Victoria.
She covered 302 km (188 miles) on her 31st day of migration and finally put in for the night about 97 km (60 miles) from the coast. Her elevation was 242'.
It looks like she roosted out in the middle of a flat, open, cultivated field. No shadows. No structures apparent. I don't see any fence posts near her GPS coordinates. It appears that she just plain slept on the ground. Maybe she likes the feel of dirt under her toes.
Friday should be her last day in the tropics. She was just 100 km (61 miles) south of the Tropic of Cancer last night.
Don figures she was about 389 km (242 miles) south of the Texas border.
Some of these birds start to really turn on the speed right about now. We have found that they will often fly the fastest and the farthest while crossing the Great Plains of the United States.
Still no takers on chasing her in the US?
So she continued up the broad coastal plain again on Friday. She passed by the city of Tampico and was approaching Ciudad Victoria.
She covered 302 km (188 miles) on her 31st day of migration and finally put in for the night about 97 km (60 miles) from the coast. Her elevation was 242'.
It looks like she roosted out in the middle of a flat, open, cultivated field. No shadows. No structures apparent. I don't see any fence posts near her GPS coordinates. It appears that she just plain slept on the ground. Maybe she likes the feel of dirt under her toes.
Friday should be her last day in the tropics. She was just 100 km (61 miles) south of the Tropic of Cancer last night.
Don figures she was about 389 km (242 miles) south of the Texas border.
Some of these birds start to really turn on the speed right about now. We have found that they will often fly the fastest and the farthest while crossing the Great Plains of the United States.
Still no takers on chasing her in the US?
Passing Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico
Island Girl crossed the rest of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec on Thursday and began her leg across the coastal plains of eastern Mexico. She flew 406 km (252 miles) for the day, passing Veracruz, Cardel, and Xalapa on her way north.
She ended her day in an extensive agricultural area a short distance from the town of El Espinal about 49 km (30 miles) inland from the Gulf coast. She was a bit south of Poza Rica.
She seems to have roosted in a large tree in an open field at 780' elevation. You can see the tree on GE as there are good defining shadows on this image.
This location is about 500 km (311 miles) from the US border in Texas, so she will be entering the US soon.
Anybody out there planning on trying to intercept her?
She ended her day in an extensive agricultural area a short distance from the town of El Espinal about 49 km (30 miles) inland from the Gulf coast. She was a bit south of Poza Rica.
She seems to have roosted in a large tree in an open field at 780' elevation. You can see the tree on GE as there are good defining shadows on this image.
This location is about 500 km (311 miles) from the US border in Texas, so she will be entering the US soon.
Anybody out there planning on trying to intercept her?
16 May, 2013
Slow Day at Tehuantepec
Island Girl continued en route to the NW on Wednesday, covering only 119 km (74 miles) although she flew halfway across the isthmus towards the Gulf coast.
Her heading is directly towards Veracruz as expected. She will work along the back side of the Sierras here.
She roosted at 747' in a remote part of forest a bit east of some logging.
Her heading is directly towards Veracruz as expected. She will work along the back side of the Sierras here.
She roosted at 747' in a remote part of forest a bit east of some logging.
At the Major Crossroads of Tehuantepec Once Again...
Island Girl took her time moving to the NW on Tuesday. To me, she was flying though one of the most intriguing areas of her migratory pathway. There is an extensive area of salt-water bays, lagoons and long, sandy beaches in this part of Mexico. It appears to be perfect habitat for wintering North American peregrines and, I would bet, an ideal setting for capturing migrants in the fall. It must be loaded with bird life, including shorebirds, ducks, pigeons, doves and waterbirds. I can imagine Island Girl stopping off there to hunt.
This must be a very important area for peregrines.
She flew 207 km (129 miles) for the day, apparently following the coast line for at least part of that time. She knows this area well, having passed through here many times (at least 11) on her travels in the past.
Later in the day, she headed inland for the crossing of Tehuantepec, as she usually does at this point in her migration.
This is the important geographic "waist" between the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico and the narrowest part of the country. It is well known to be a major migration corridor for many species of raptors (Broad-winged Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Mississippi Kites and Swainson's Hawks) and many other species of birds.
In the evening, Island Girl put in for the night in an area of sparse, dry vegetation at only 162' elevation. Looks like she slept in a tree. Local photos show a dry forest habitat here with higher mountains to the north.
She was only 600' from the main highway, Mexico Route 190, also part of the Pan-American Highway.
This is her fourth week of migration and she has now reached 16 degrees north latitude and covered 7,520 km (4,673 miles) so far.
Tomorrow she will be heading for Veracruz and the Gulf of Mexico, yet another major transition along her path towards home.
This must be a very important area for peregrines.
She flew 207 km (129 miles) for the day, apparently following the coast line for at least part of that time. She knows this area well, having passed through here many times (at least 11) on her travels in the past.
Later in the day, she headed inland for the crossing of Tehuantepec, as she usually does at this point in her migration.
This is the important geographic "waist" between the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico and the narrowest part of the country. It is well known to be a major migration corridor for many species of raptors (Broad-winged Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Mississippi Kites and Swainson's Hawks) and many other species of birds.
In the evening, Island Girl put in for the night in an area of sparse, dry vegetation at only 162' elevation. Looks like she slept in a tree. Local photos show a dry forest habitat here with higher mountains to the north.
She was only 600' from the main highway, Mexico Route 190, also part of the Pan-American Highway.
This is her fourth week of migration and she has now reached 16 degrees north latitude and covered 7,520 km (4,673 miles) so far.
Tomorrow she will be heading for Veracruz and the Gulf of Mexico, yet another major transition along her path towards home.
15 May, 2013
Arrival in Mexico
Here is Don's report from yesterday...
"Island Girl continued her Pacific coastal route through Guatemala yesterday and is now in Mexico, approaching the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (which represents the shortest distance between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico); that's where she will typically cross to the Gulf Coast to continue north through Mexico and then Texas."
She roosted at 1,542' on a forested ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Looks like there might have been some terracing there. She was only 4.7 miles above the Pan-American Highway and 17 miles inland.
She should be at the Gulf of Mexico sometime today.
"Island Girl continued her Pacific coastal route through Guatemala yesterday and is now in Mexico, approaching the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (which represents the shortest distance between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico); that's where she will typically cross to the Gulf Coast to continue north through Mexico and then Texas."
She roosted at 1,542' on a forested ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Looks like there might have been some terracing there. She was only 4.7 miles above the Pan-American Highway and 17 miles inland.
She should be at the Gulf of Mexico sometime today.
14 May, 2013
Across El Salvador to Guatemala
Island Girl continued her trend of flying along the Pacific or western slope of Central America yesterday. She had a good day and covered about her average distance at 325 km (202 miles).
She flew across the entire country of El Salvador in a single day and then into the southern part of Guatemala. She is already at 14 degrees north latitude on her 25th day of migration.
If she maintains her average distance, then she should be nearing the Mexican border, about 170 miles away, later today.
She roosted in a continuous stand of dry forest at 1,819 feet elevation. Looks like a long slope above an agricultural valley. She was about a half mile away from a major road, marked CA8. Lots of GE pictures here to give you an idea of the habitat.
She was still 88 km (55 miles) south of the capitol, Guatemala City.
She flew across the entire country of El Salvador in a single day and then into the southern part of Guatemala. She is already at 14 degrees north latitude on her 25th day of migration.
If she maintains her average distance, then she should be nearing the Mexican border, about 170 miles away, later today.
She roosted in a continuous stand of dry forest at 1,819 feet elevation. Looks like a long slope above an agricultural valley. She was about a half mile away from a major road, marked CA8. Lots of GE pictures here to give you an idea of the habitat.
She was still 88 km (55 miles) south of the capitol, Guatemala City.
13 May, 2013
Speeding up....
On Saturday, Island Girl turned on the speed again and did one of her typical northbound power flights. Looks like she wants to get home.
She covered 532 km (330 miles) and flew all the way across the rest of Costa Rica and most of Nicaragua in a single day. She knows this route very well as she always migrates along the long Pacific slope on the western side of Nicaragua in spring.
She flew past Lake Nicaragua, past the capitol, Managua, and just kept on going NW.
By nightfall, she had nearly reached Honduras and put in on a low hilltop (1,016') in a dense forest. She was only 19 km (12 miles) from the border. This is the Chinandega region of Nicaragua, located just south of the Gulf of Fonseca that connects all three Central American countries, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. If you look just NE of her roost site you'll see an extensive area of shrimp farms on the coast and rivers.
At the tip of the peninsula where she stopped, there are some photos on Google Earth of a volcano with a lake at the bottom of the caldera. There is also a photo showing what it looks like across the Gulf into El Salvador, the route Island Girl took the next morning.
She is seriously migrating now. Tomorrow should be quite interesting.
She covered 532 km (330 miles) and flew all the way across the rest of Costa Rica and most of Nicaragua in a single day. She knows this route very well as she always migrates along the long Pacific slope on the western side of Nicaragua in spring.
She flew past Lake Nicaragua, past the capitol, Managua, and just kept on going NW.
By nightfall, she had nearly reached Honduras and put in on a low hilltop (1,016') in a dense forest. She was only 19 km (12 miles) from the border. This is the Chinandega region of Nicaragua, located just south of the Gulf of Fonseca that connects all three Central American countries, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. If you look just NE of her roost site you'll see an extensive area of shrimp farms on the coast and rivers.
At the tip of the peninsula where she stopped, there are some photos on Google Earth of a volcano with a lake at the bottom of the caldera. There is also a photo showing what it looks like across the Gulf into El Salvador, the route Island Girl took the next morning.
She is seriously migrating now. Tomorrow should be quite interesting.
12 May, 2013
Into Costa Rica
On Friday, Island Girl resumed her migration and turned on the afterburners. She flew all the way across the rest of Panama and halfway across Costa Rica. She covered 363 km (226 miles) for the day.
We also saw some new behavior this time. In the past, Island Girl has typically flown to the northern coast of Panama and entered CR near the Kekoldi hawk watch site. She would then fly along the eastern slope of the central mountains, eventually entering Nicaragua near the center of the country.
This year, she continued to fly up the Pacific slope of the coast range, essentially following the same coastal foothills route she has taken all the way north from Chile. This is a completely new route for her in Costa Rica.
She roosted on another forested mountain ridge top at 3,151' above the Rio Savegre in an area of steep slopes and deep canyons. She was about 17 km (11 miles) inland from the ocean.
I can't help but think that she prefers the cooler temperatures of the mountains for roosting.
She was also approximately 58 km (35 miles) southeast of the capitol city, San Jose.
We also saw some new behavior this time. In the past, Island Girl has typically flown to the northern coast of Panama and entered CR near the Kekoldi hawk watch site. She would then fly along the eastern slope of the central mountains, eventually entering Nicaragua near the center of the country.
This year, she continued to fly up the Pacific slope of the coast range, essentially following the same coastal foothills route she has taken all the way north from Chile. This is a completely new route for her in Costa Rica.
She roosted on another forested mountain ridge top at 3,151' above the Rio Savegre in an area of steep slopes and deep canyons. She was about 17 km (11 miles) inland from the ocean.
I can't help but think that she prefers the cooler temperatures of the mountains for roosting.
She was also approximately 58 km (35 miles) southeast of the capitol city, San Jose.
A Short Hop in Panama
On Thursday, Island Girl took another day off from her epic journey. She flew only 82 km (51 miles) for the day. However, this was one of the only times that she headed to the SW while following the lay of the land in Panama.
She roosted on the side of a ridge top at 2,138' a couple of hundred feet below the summit. The site was gain located about midway between the Caribbean and the Pacific. Certainly if the skies were clear, she could see both bodies of water at the same time (as I have done in Panama from the right viewpoint).
She wasn't far from La Yeguada volcano, which is a reminder that she is continuing to travel through the extensive seismic regions of Central America.
She roosted on the side of a ridge top at 2,138' a couple of hundred feet below the summit. The site was gain located about midway between the Caribbean and the Pacific. Certainly if the skies were clear, she could see both bodies of water at the same time (as I have done in Panama from the right viewpoint).
She wasn't far from La Yeguada volcano, which is a reminder that she is continuing to travel through the extensive seismic regions of Central America.
10 May, 2013
Crossing the Panama Canal
Island Girl continued to fly west on Wednesday, successfully correcting her bearing perfectly. She traveled through the heart of Panama, flying past Tocumen Airport, Panama City and the Canal. We can't tell from her signals if she went overland or if she flew off shore, crossing the Bay of Panama, but she ended her flight far west of the city.
She had flown 217 km (135 miles) before perching for the night at 1,027' elevation, perhaps seeking some cooler temperatures on a higher hilltop. The site was nearly equidistant from the Pacific and the Caribbean.
Looks like the habitat was dense forest although the GE image is obscured by clouds.
She has been migrating now for 21 days. During this period she has flown through 5 countries (Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama) and traveled 5651 km (3512 miles), an average of 269 km per day (167 miles per day).
She will be flying across most of the countries of Central America next.
She had flown 217 km (135 miles) before perching for the night at 1,027' elevation, perhaps seeking some cooler temperatures on a higher hilltop. The site was nearly equidistant from the Pacific and the Caribbean.
Looks like the habitat was dense forest although the GE image is obscured by clouds.
She has been migrating now for 21 days. During this period she has flown through 5 countries (Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama) and traveled 5651 km (3512 miles), an average of 269 km per day (167 miles per day).
She will be flying across most of the countries of Central America next.
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