Fireball slowed his pace yesterday after the red-hot migration of the past few days.
He flew only 147 km (91 miles) and could well be resting and replenishing after his exertions.
He left Kansas and pulled into south-central Nebraska.
He strongly altered his heading to the NE which could be significant. We'll have to wait and see.
He roosted in a large stand of trees on the outskirts of a town called Indianola and just half a kilometer (.3 miles) south of Highway 6. Looks like he backtracked a bit to get there. Was he hunting birds around the town?
31 May, 2008
Elizabetha Ambles Along For A Day
After her long flight of two days ago, Elizabetha flew only 221 km (137 miles) yesterday. She left Nebraska, crossed the southwestern tip of South Dakota and moved into Minnesota for the night.
She slept in a tree grove along a lakeshore between Sioux Falls and Minneapolis, which is about 217 KM (139 miles) to the NE.
What is with these Chilean birds and Minnesota????
She slept in a tree grove along a lakeshore between Sioux Falls and Minneapolis, which is about 217 KM (139 miles) to the NE.
What is with these Chilean birds and Minnesota????
30 May, 2008
Fireball Sets Another New Record, Dazzling Us All
Well, this bird is just knocking our socks off.
After turning on the afterburners and jetting north from near Veracruz three days ago, he covered 660 km (410 miles) the first day, 771 km (479.3 miles) the following day and an astounding 911 km (566 miles) yesterday!
He has now crossed much of northern Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and most of Kansas in just three days.
None of us have ever seen this type of distance covered by a migrant peregrine before. I believe that Fireball has just set a new "world record".
Over the three days combined, he migrated 2,342 km (1,455 miles) across Mexico and the US enroute to the north.
He also started to veer more to the north as well. So much for the west coast route for this bird.
After his long push, he landed near the center of a small town called Goodland, in NE Kansas and 17 miles from the Colorado state line.
And instead of roosting out in the open fields, he apparently slept in a tree within the residential area on Center Street, right in someone's front yard.
After turning on the afterburners and jetting north from near Veracruz three days ago, he covered 660 km (410 miles) the first day, 771 km (479.3 miles) the following day and an astounding 911 km (566 miles) yesterday!
He has now crossed much of northern Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and most of Kansas in just three days.
None of us have ever seen this type of distance covered by a migrant peregrine before. I believe that Fireball has just set a new "world record".
Over the three days combined, he migrated 2,342 km (1,455 miles) across Mexico and the US enroute to the north.
He also started to veer more to the north as well. So much for the west coast route for this bird.
After his long push, he landed near the center of a small town called Goodland, in NE Kansas and 17 miles from the Colorado state line.
And instead of roosting out in the open fields, he apparently slept in a tree within the residential area on Center Street, right in someone's front yard.
Sparrow King Arrives Back Home
Sparky made it back to Baffin Island yesterday after a 42 day migration. We expect that he will remain to breed there again as peregrines generally return to the same nest each year.
Don McCall nicely summarizes the data....
"Sparrow King has returned to last year's location on Baffin Island. He flew 255 km (158 miles) across Hudson Strait in the past two days. Here's a comparison of his northern migration statistics for the past two years:
2007: 11 Apr - 8 Jun (58 days)
Distance travelled (sum of known point-to-point distances): 12861 km (7992 miles)
Average distance per day: 222 km (138 miles)
2008: 18 Apr - 30 May (42 days)
Distance travelled (sum of known point-to-point distances): 12132 km (7539 miles)
Average distance per day: 289 km (179 miles)
(Usual disclaimer: we get points every 2-1/4 days on average for this bird, so the starting and ending dates could be off by a day or two).
So, he left a week later this year, travelled a slightly shorter route, and arrived 9 days sooner."
This is the first time that we have been able to compare migration data for the same peregrine over two separate spring migrations from Chile to Canada.
Once again, we want to thank both Mike McGrady and Keith Bildstein for providing Sparky's transmitter. As a result of their dedication and generosity, we have all learned so much more about peregrine migration.
Don McCall nicely summarizes the data....
"Sparrow King has returned to last year's location on Baffin Island. He flew 255 km (158 miles) across Hudson Strait in the past two days. Here's a comparison of his northern migration statistics for the past two years:
2007: 11 Apr - 8 Jun (58 days)
Distance travelled (sum of known point-to-point distances): 12861 km (7992 miles)
Average distance per day: 222 km (138 miles)
2008: 18 Apr - 30 May (42 days)
Distance travelled (sum of known point-to-point distances): 12132 km (7539 miles)
Average distance per day: 289 km (179 miles)
(Usual disclaimer: we get points every 2-1/4 days on average for this bird, so the starting and ending dates could be off by a day or two).
So, he left a week later this year, travelled a slightly shorter route, and arrived 9 days sooner."
This is the first time that we have been able to compare migration data for the same peregrine over two separate spring migrations from Chile to Canada.
Once again, we want to thank both Mike McGrady and Keith Bildstein for providing Sparky's transmitter. As a result of their dedication and generosity, we have all learned so much more about peregrine migration.
Elizabetha Crosses Kansas and Nebraska
Yesterday Elizabetha really turned on the speed and flew entirely across both Kansas and Nebraska in a single day. She covered 707 km (440 miles) which is her longest single day distance so far on her 48 day migration and well beyond her average daily distance of 217 km (135 miles).
She passed by Wichita, Lincoln and Omaha before roosting in the flat, open farm country 27 km (17 miles) south of the Missouri River in NE Nebraska. For those of you that might live in this area, she was only 2.4 km (1.5 miles) west of Route 81.
From the Google Earth image, it would appear that she slept on the ground in an open field last night. There are groves of trees in this area but primarily near human dwellings. It is to some degree distressing to see her on the ground, especially after what happened to Paco. It should not be too surprising, I suppose, as these falcons do breed on the tundra and roost in other treeless areas to the north. But still distressing.
Elizabetha also started to "bend" her route a bit to the east yesterday. Right now, she is pointed north towards Mark and Alastair up at Rankin Inlet in Canada.
She passed by Wichita, Lincoln and Omaha before roosting in the flat, open farm country 27 km (17 miles) south of the Missouri River in NE Nebraska. For those of you that might live in this area, she was only 2.4 km (1.5 miles) west of Route 81.
From the Google Earth image, it would appear that she slept on the ground in an open field last night. There are groves of trees in this area but primarily near human dwellings. It is to some degree distressing to see her on the ground, especially after what happened to Paco. It should not be too surprising, I suppose, as these falcons do breed on the tundra and roost in other treeless areas to the north. But still distressing.
Elizabetha also started to "bend" her route a bit to the east yesterday. Right now, she is pointed north towards Mark and Alastair up at Rankin Inlet in Canada.
29 May, 2008
A Peregrine Meteor Flashes Over Texas
Fireball had another screaming day yesterday, covering 771 km (479 miles) across northern Mexico and West Texas. That is almost 900 miles in the last two days! He entered the United States sometime in the afternoon and had almost reached New Mexico by nightfall.
Apparently, the urge to procreate has kicked in big time. Looks like he is racing for home now.
He put down in some sort of orchard in Pecos County, Texas, roughly midway between El Paso and Midland.
His heading is really fascinating. He is on course to go to the northwestern part of the continent, possibly even Alaska, if he keeps on this route. That is a BIG if, certainly.
Many years ago, when we looked at west coast band returns from peregrines, we recognized that some spring migrants were following a west coast migratory route on their way north. Based on these findings, we set up a peregrine banding station at the northwestern tip of Washington State, near the Canadian border, and discovered a large springtime movement of hawks (including peregrines) there.
We found that if we projected a great circle route directly from Padre Island to the Washington coast, it passed through New Mexico just about where Fireball is heading now.
We'll have to wait and see where he goes....
Apparently, the urge to procreate has kicked in big time. Looks like he is racing for home now.
He put down in some sort of orchard in Pecos County, Texas, roughly midway between El Paso and Midland.
His heading is really fascinating. He is on course to go to the northwestern part of the continent, possibly even Alaska, if he keeps on this route. That is a BIG if, certainly.
Many years ago, when we looked at west coast band returns from peregrines, we recognized that some spring migrants were following a west coast migratory route on their way north. Based on these findings, we set up a peregrine banding station at the northwestern tip of Washington State, near the Canadian border, and discovered a large springtime movement of hawks (including peregrines) there.
We found that if we projected a great circle route directly from Padre Island to the Washington coast, it passed through New Mexico just about where Fireball is heading now.
We'll have to wait and see where he goes....
Elizabetha Flies Over Oklahoma
Our adult female flew due north yesterday and crossed almost the entire state of Oklahoma. She put in 291 km (181 miles) and is now approaching Kansas.
She slept in a tree overlooking a small pond and was quite near to Road N2140. She is out in open country now, and very far from the tropics. She is about 5.8 km (3 miles) from Mooreland, Oklahoma and 219 km (1436 miles) southwest of Wichita, Kansas.
Her heading suggests she will be following the Central flyway north but at this point she is capable of veering hard in either direction as we learned last year.
She slept in a tree overlooking a small pond and was quite near to Road N2140. She is out in open country now, and very far from the tropics. She is about 5.8 km (3 miles) from Mooreland, Oklahoma and 219 km (1436 miles) southwest of Wichita, Kansas.
Her heading suggests she will be following the Central flyway north but at this point she is capable of veering hard in either direction as we learned last year.
28 May, 2008
Fireball Moving Hard to the North
Fireball put on some speed yesterday and traveled 660 km (410 miles), one of his longest single day distances yet. He was the last of the three tagged migrant peregrines to cross the Tropic of Cancer on his way north.
He altered his heading, left the coast and started to take an inland path. He passed near Ciudad Victoria and is paralleling the foothills of the mountains. This route will take him away from the coastal barrier islands, suggesting that he will cross the Texas border far west of the Gulf.
This heading could be an indication that he will be another western breeder, like Seven. We'll have to wait and see.
He altered his heading, left the coast and started to take an inland path. He passed near Ciudad Victoria and is paralleling the foothills of the mountains. This route will take him away from the coastal barrier islands, suggesting that he will cross the Texas border far west of the Gulf.
This heading could be an indication that he will be another western breeder, like Seven. We'll have to wait and see.
Elizabetha Crossing Tornado Alley
Elizabetha flew 451 km (280 miles) through Texas yesterday and was approaching the Oklahoma border.
She roosted last night near Lake Kemp along Highway 183. She chose a forested strip along the Wichita River about 55 km (34 miles) SW of Wichita Falls.
What is most interesting is her slight variation to the west. It is too early to predict where she is going but does this signify a heading to the west? We are still waiting for an Alaska bird. Is she going to be the one?
She roosted last night near Lake Kemp along Highway 183. She chose a forested strip along the Wichita River about 55 km (34 miles) SW of Wichita Falls.
What is most interesting is her slight variation to the west. It is too early to predict where she is going but does this signify a heading to the west? We are still waiting for an Alaska bird. Is she going to be the one?
Sparrow King About to Jump To Baffin Island
Sparky flew another 405 km (252 miles) across the Ungave Peninsula on his way home. Yesterday, he perched right on the shoreline of Hudson Strait. In fact, it looks like he may have either been perched on or flying over the ice just offshore.
He is getting close to home and is now only about 264 km (164 miles) from last year's site. He only has one more formidable water barrier to cross.
He is getting close to home and is now only about 264 km (164 miles) from last year's site. He only has one more formidable water barrier to cross.
27 May, 2008
Sparrow King Crosses Hudson Bay
Sparrow King should be heading back to his eyrie at the southern tip of Baffin Island once again. He is heading in that direction and has crossed Hudson Bay further south than the route he selected last year. He must have been among the icebergs again as he crossed the Bay.
He has continued on to NW Quebec and is crossing the Ungava Peninsula. Over the last three days he has flown 1,101 km (684 miles) towards his eyrie.
He has continued on to NW Quebec and is crossing the Ungava Peninsula. Over the last three days he has flown 1,101 km (684 miles) towards his eyrie.
Elizabetha Enters the US Via Texas
On the 24th, Elizabetha continued up the Gulf coast in Mexico. She flew 124 km (77 miles) to the outskirts of Tampico and roosted in some fields (hopefully in a tree) overlooking Tampico Bay. She was very near one of the worst roads I have ever driven in my life. Endless potholes and topes!
The next day, she kept on the same heading for 205 km (127 miles) and officially left the tropics behind her as she transited the Tropic of Cancer.
She roosted along the Gulf coast well to the east of Ciudad Victoria and slept in a dense dry forest along a tributary of an estuary. This is the start of the coastal barrier island system that funnels directly into Padre Island, Texas. Good place to hunt.
Yesterday, something clicked in this bird and she had her best day so far, flying 644 km (400 miles) in a single day. Wow! I guess she is finally serious about getting back to her eyrie and she's making up for lost time.
She crossed the border into the United States and rocketed across Texas until she reached her roost between San Antonio and Austin. She put down 2.6 km (1.6 miles) off Highway 35 in some sort of rock quarry or gravel pit near a place called Hunter, Texas. Anyone been there? From her signal, it looks like she slept on a cliff inside the quarry. Very cool.
The next day, she kept on the same heading for 205 km (127 miles) and officially left the tropics behind her as she transited the Tropic of Cancer.
She roosted along the Gulf coast well to the east of Ciudad Victoria and slept in a dense dry forest along a tributary of an estuary. This is the start of the coastal barrier island system that funnels directly into Padre Island, Texas. Good place to hunt.
Yesterday, something clicked in this bird and she had her best day so far, flying 644 km (400 miles) in a single day. Wow! I guess she is finally serious about getting back to her eyrie and she's making up for lost time.
She crossed the border into the United States and rocketed across Texas until she reached her roost between San Antonio and Austin. She put down 2.6 km (1.6 miles) off Highway 35 in some sort of rock quarry or gravel pit near a place called Hunter, Texas. Anyone been there? From her signal, it looks like she slept on a cliff inside the quarry. Very cool.
Fireball North of Veracruz, Roosts Inside Crater
At last posting, Fireball had moved east along the southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Since then, he re-traced his path and returned to the classic line heading towards Veracruz.
On 24 May, he traveled 131.9 km (81.9 miles) up the coast and roosted in a large woodlot situated in an agricultural area just inland from the Gulf. This area is near Coatzacoalcos and just south of Catemaco and the Tuxtla Mountains.
The next day (25 May), he flew NW and crossed over the Tuxtlas. His line indicates that he might have flown directly over Lake Catemaco for those of you that have been there on a Veracruz tour. It also looks like he later passed over the marshes of Alvarado and Tlacotalpan before moving on to the outskirts of Veracruz.
He roosted in another woodlot situated quite near to a river and 1 km (less than a mile) from the main Veracruz-Cordoba highway (HWY 150). He was only 12 km (7 miles) from Veracruz.
It is really quite thrilling to have him so near to the route I followed last fall. I drove this stretch of road on a brilliant sunny morning and remember it well. Makes it all pretty personal.
Fireball covered only 190 km (117 miles) for the day. That seems pretty slow for a peregrine trying to get to his eyrie in time. Does this mean that he is a far northern bird?
Yesterday, he continued his route north, apparently flying right up the Gulf coast and past the dune fields by Johnny Angel beach where Arena paused last year. On this route he also had to have passed the River of Raptors fall hawk banding station and could no doubt see the famous Hotel Bienvenido in Cardel if he was looking in that direction.
He is still taking his time and flew a total of 92 km (57 miles) for the day.
He put down for the night in one of the most unique roosting sites that we have seen thus far on this project. He slept in a grove of trees situated inside the crater of an ancient volcano about 6 km (4 miles) from the coast. Check it out on GE. It is worth it!
On 24 May, he traveled 131.9 km (81.9 miles) up the coast and roosted in a large woodlot situated in an agricultural area just inland from the Gulf. This area is near Coatzacoalcos and just south of Catemaco and the Tuxtla Mountains.
The next day (25 May), he flew NW and crossed over the Tuxtlas. His line indicates that he might have flown directly over Lake Catemaco for those of you that have been there on a Veracruz tour. It also looks like he later passed over the marshes of Alvarado and Tlacotalpan before moving on to the outskirts of Veracruz.
He roosted in another woodlot situated quite near to a river and 1 km (less than a mile) from the main Veracruz-Cordoba highway (HWY 150). He was only 12 km (7 miles) from Veracruz.
It is really quite thrilling to have him so near to the route I followed last fall. I drove this stretch of road on a brilliant sunny morning and remember it well. Makes it all pretty personal.
Fireball covered only 190 km (117 miles) for the day. That seems pretty slow for a peregrine trying to get to his eyrie in time. Does this mean that he is a far northern bird?
Yesterday, he continued his route north, apparently flying right up the Gulf coast and past the dune fields by Johnny Angel beach where Arena paused last year. On this route he also had to have passed the River of Raptors fall hawk banding station and could no doubt see the famous Hotel Bienvenido in Cardel if he was looking in that direction.
He is still taking his time and flew a total of 92 km (57 miles) for the day.
He put down for the night in one of the most unique roosting sites that we have seen thus far on this project. He slept in a grove of trees situated inside the crater of an ancient volcano about 6 km (4 miles) from the coast. Check it out on GE. It is worth it!
26 May, 2008
25 May 2008
We are still unable to download the data from the Argos site at this time. McCall is in Vancouver BC and can't seem to get through the filters there for some unknown reason. We hope to have this problem solved later tonight.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
25 May, 2008
24 May 2008
Sorry everyone.
Don is on vacation this Memorial Day weekend and is having trouble downloading data from the Argos site.
Mark is up at Rankin Inlet, Hudson Bay, Canada, for 10 days zooming around on a snow machine with Alastair.
So the daily reports will be delayed for a bit.
This is worse than your e-mail going down for days....
Stand by...
Don is on vacation this Memorial Day weekend and is having trouble downloading data from the Argos site.
Mark is up at Rankin Inlet, Hudson Bay, Canada, for 10 days zooming around on a snow machine with Alastair.
So the daily reports will be delayed for a bit.
This is worse than your e-mail going down for days....
Stand by...
24 May, 2008
Elizabetha Following the Classic Gulf Coast Route
Elizabetha is moving north up the coast of Mexico and traveled 179 km (111 miles) through the last part of the tropics yesterday. This is her 42nd day of migration.
Late in the day, she moved a bit inland and eventually put in about 41 km (26 miles) NW of Tuxpan. It appears that she roosted in a large tree adjacent to an extensive agricultural area. GE shows what looks to be some kind of orchard. Anyone know what kind of orchard they have in that area?
Elizabetha roosted about 268 km (166 miles) south of the Tropic of Cancer and is approaching Texas. It won't be long before she will be crossing the Great Plains.
Are there any readers out there that might want to try to intercept her? If so, contact bud@frg.org.
Late in the day, she moved a bit inland and eventually put in about 41 km (26 miles) NW of Tuxpan. It appears that she roosted in a large tree adjacent to an extensive agricultural area. GE shows what looks to be some kind of orchard. Anyone know what kind of orchard they have in that area?
Elizabetha roosted about 268 km (166 miles) south of the Tropic of Cancer and is approaching Texas. It won't be long before she will be crossing the Great Plains.
Are there any readers out there that might want to try to intercept her? If so, contact bud@frg.org.
Fireball Taking A Break
The little guy just hung out along the south coast of the Gulf for another day.
23 May, 2008
The Loss of Chamiza
I am sorry to report that it appears that Chamiza went down into the sea near Belize and we believe that she is lost.
It is a huge disappointment to our crew as we were all quite fond of this bird. We were so much hoping to learn where she was going to breed, especially after her unique and spectacular journey north through the mountains of Chile, the altiplano of Argentina and Peru, the Amazon basin, eastern Colombia and then Central America. She was the southernmost known migrant peregrine in the world and we were really keen to learn all about her. What a loss.
Based on the satellite signals, it appears that she was unable to complete a 90 mile crossing over the Caribbean Sea from the island of Roatan in Honduras to the coast of Belize. By late afternoon, she was apparently in the water as we had a good GPS signal drifting at 1 km/hour at sea level. By approximately 12 hours later, the transmitter had drifted about 12 miles to the NW (downwind) and was approaching a line of heavy breakers adjacent to a coastal barrier reef. We obtained a final Doppler reading at this point.
The wind was from the SE at the time and seems to have pushed her towards this reef. The breakers probably flipped the transmitter over, putting the solar panel facing down. We received no more signals after this last Doppler reading.
Unfortunately, there is no way to know for certain what caused her to drop into the sea. Her last signal was not far from several small reefs and islets. She was only about 16 km (10 miles) away from Lighthouse Atoll and must have been able to see it. Only a slight alteration in heading would have gotten her there instead of where she landed in the sea between two islets. This suggests to me that the cause was relatively sudden but that is purely speculative.
It seems unlikely that a healthy peregrine could not make such a crossing. We are all trying to figure out what happened to her and ideas ranging from her being caught in a torrential downpour, to landing on a boat or oil platform and being shot, being struck by an aircraft, to being sick, have all been suggested. It does seem that if she were debilitated in some manner before the flight, she would not have attempted a long over-water crossing, instead of just flying along the coast of Honduras.
The cause of her death will likely remain a sad and vexing mystery.
It is a huge disappointment to our crew as we were all quite fond of this bird. We were so much hoping to learn where she was going to breed, especially after her unique and spectacular journey north through the mountains of Chile, the altiplano of Argentina and Peru, the Amazon basin, eastern Colombia and then Central America. She was the southernmost known migrant peregrine in the world and we were really keen to learn all about her. What a loss.
Based on the satellite signals, it appears that she was unable to complete a 90 mile crossing over the Caribbean Sea from the island of Roatan in Honduras to the coast of Belize. By late afternoon, she was apparently in the water as we had a good GPS signal drifting at 1 km/hour at sea level. By approximately 12 hours later, the transmitter had drifted about 12 miles to the NW (downwind) and was approaching a line of heavy breakers adjacent to a coastal barrier reef. We obtained a final Doppler reading at this point.
The wind was from the SE at the time and seems to have pushed her towards this reef. The breakers probably flipped the transmitter over, putting the solar panel facing down. We received no more signals after this last Doppler reading.
Unfortunately, there is no way to know for certain what caused her to drop into the sea. Her last signal was not far from several small reefs and islets. She was only about 16 km (10 miles) away from Lighthouse Atoll and must have been able to see it. Only a slight alteration in heading would have gotten her there instead of where she landed in the sea between two islets. This suggests to me that the cause was relatively sudden but that is purely speculative.
It seems unlikely that a healthy peregrine could not make such a crossing. We are all trying to figure out what happened to her and ideas ranging from her being caught in a torrential downpour, to landing on a boat or oil platform and being shot, being struck by an aircraft, to being sick, have all been suggested. It does seem that if she were debilitated in some manner before the flight, she would not have attempted a long over-water crossing, instead of just flying along the coast of Honduras.
The cause of her death will likely remain a sad and vexing mystery.
Sparrow King Enters Canada
Sparrow King crossed the border into Canada over the last two days. He departed Minnesota and flew through western Ontario, covering 639 km (397 miles) before edging into Manitoba at 54 degrees north. He is approaching Hudson Bay, only 301 km (187 miles) to the north. His route remains very similar to the one he took last year.
At last signal, he was only 348 km (216 miles) SW of our friends in Thompson, Manitoba. And I'd like to extend a special hello to the students at Westwood School (Susan Thomas-principal) and especially to Pauline, Harold and Abbey, whose hospitality I shall not forget.
We are hoping that Sparrow King might cruise by Rankin Inlet to the north where FRG VP Mark Prostor is currently assisting Alastair Franke attaching several more GPS transmitters as part of this long term and extensive Canadian peregrine study.
At last signal, he was only 348 km (216 miles) SW of our friends in Thompson, Manitoba. And I'd like to extend a special hello to the students at Westwood School (Susan Thomas-principal) and especially to Pauline, Harold and Abbey, whose hospitality I shall not forget.
We are hoping that Sparrow King might cruise by Rankin Inlet to the north where FRG VP Mark Prostor is currently assisting Alastair Franke attaching several more GPS transmitters as part of this long term and extensive Canadian peregrine study.
Fireball Unexpectedly Turns East
After reaching the Gulf coast two days ago, yesterday Fireball flew a short distance to the east along the coastline for 39 km (24 miles). If he continues to follow that heading, he will eventually arrive at Cancun and perhaps a crossing to Cuba.
Alternatively, he may have found and is perhaps simply hunting and exploiting the same food sources as Elizabetha in this area. Tantalizing idea.
We'll see if he pauses here for a few days as Elizabetha did or if he backtracks towards Veracruz.
He appears to have roosted in a forested area adjacent some sort of canal.
Alternatively, he may have found and is perhaps simply hunting and exploiting the same food sources as Elizabetha in this area. Tantalizing idea.
We'll see if he pauses here for a few days as Elizabetha did or if he backtracks towards Veracruz.
He appears to have roosted in a forested area adjacent some sort of canal.
Elizabetha Moves Past Veracruz
Elizabetha made some good progress yesterday after a good "rest" over the last several days. She put in 307 km (190 miles) along the Mexican Gulf coast, passing by Veracruz en route north. She was following the classic line, moving through the largest known and arguably the most famous fall hawk migration corridor in the world. We are finding that migrant peregrines use this route in both the fall and the spring.
She roosted in a small dune area right along the coast and about 64 km (40 miles) north of the Hotel Bienvenido Hotel in Cardel. Looks like she slept right on the ground about midway between the ocean and Highway 180. Next town north is Emilio Carranza.
She roosted in a small dune area right along the coast and about 64 km (40 miles) north of the Hotel Bienvenido Hotel in Cardel. Looks like she slept right on the ground about midway between the ocean and Highway 180. Next town north is Emilio Carranza.
22 May, 2008
Anomalous Signal From Chamiza
On Monday, Chamiza had reached a spit of land on the Honduran coast. That night, the GPS signals indicated that she roosted there.
On the following day, Tuesday, we know for certain that she flew to the NW out over the Caribbean Sea towards the island of Roatan. We received another Doppler signal from there indicating she had successfully flown the 58 km (36 miles) across the water.
Later that day (Tuesday), we logged a solid GPS signal from near the coast of Belize indicating that Chamiza had flown across the Caribbean for an additional 153 km (95 miles). She was following the same heading that she had taken from the Honduran coast. Weather data suggests that she probably had a strong tail wind on that day.
During the night, we did not receive a midnight roosting signal from her which, while unusual, does happen occasionally. If a bird roosts beneath cover (a cliff, building, or heavy forest), the signal may be blocked and we do not obtain any data.
We normally get two GPS signals per day per falcon, but yesterday (Wednesday), we only received a single Doppler signal from Chamiza. These signals are less accurate than the GPS signals but are still helpful. The Doppler coordinates suggested that she was about 2 miles off Southern Long Cay in Belize, a small island about 22 km (13 miles) and NW of her last GPS signal. And for the second night in a row, we did not pick up her midnight, or roosting, signal.
So her last two signals were located approximately 12 miles apart, on the sea and the second downwind from the first.
We are not sure exactly how to interpret this situation as yet and but we are waiting to see what signals come in tomorrow, in hopes of some clarification.
Stay tuned.
On the following day, Tuesday, we know for certain that she flew to the NW out over the Caribbean Sea towards the island of Roatan. We received another Doppler signal from there indicating she had successfully flown the 58 km (36 miles) across the water.
Later that day (Tuesday), we logged a solid GPS signal from near the coast of Belize indicating that Chamiza had flown across the Caribbean for an additional 153 km (95 miles). She was following the same heading that she had taken from the Honduran coast. Weather data suggests that she probably had a strong tail wind on that day.
During the night, we did not receive a midnight roosting signal from her which, while unusual, does happen occasionally. If a bird roosts beneath cover (a cliff, building, or heavy forest), the signal may be blocked and we do not obtain any data.
We normally get two GPS signals per day per falcon, but yesterday (Wednesday), we only received a single Doppler signal from Chamiza. These signals are less accurate than the GPS signals but are still helpful. The Doppler coordinates suggested that she was about 2 miles off Southern Long Cay in Belize, a small island about 22 km (13 miles) and NW of her last GPS signal. And for the second night in a row, we did not pick up her midnight, or roosting, signal.
So her last two signals were located approximately 12 miles apart, on the sea and the second downwind from the first.
We are not sure exactly how to interpret this situation as yet and but we are waiting to see what signals come in tomorrow, in hopes of some clarification.
Stay tuned.
Fireball Reaches the Gulf of Mexico
Fireball crossed mountains of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec yesterday, descended through the coastal lowlands and reached the shores of the Gulf by the afternoon. He had covered 245 km (152 miles) over the course of the day.
He put in on a strand of land east of the town of Sanchez Magallanes, with the ocean to his north and an enormous salt-water bay to his south. He roosted on the backside of the spit, nearest to the bay.
This must be an ideal location for hunting with shorebirds along the beach and waterbirds of all sorts in and around the bay.
Elizabetha is not far to his west and, last night, the two birds roosted within 48 km (30 miles) of each other. In fact, for the first time this spring, Fireball was slightly north of her.
He put in on a strand of land east of the town of Sanchez Magallanes, with the ocean to his north and an enormous salt-water bay to his south. He roosted on the backside of the spit, nearest to the bay.
This must be an ideal location for hunting with shorebirds along the beach and waterbirds of all sorts in and around the bay.
Elizabetha is not far to his west and, last night, the two birds roosted within 48 km (30 miles) of each other. In fact, for the first time this spring, Fireball was slightly north of her.
Elizabetha Continues Along the Gulf Shore in Mexico
Elizabetha is taking her time moving west along the curve of the lower Gulf Coast. She covered only 82 km (51 miles) yesterday and is now approaching the famous Tuxtla mountains and Lake Catemaco on the coast. This area is considered to be the northernmost true tropical jungle in Mexico. It is thought that Harpy Eagles were likely to have nested there in past.
It looks like Elizabetha roosted in a small tree in an arid area within 239 meters (260 yards) of the beach.
It looks like Elizabetha roosted in a small tree in an arid area within 239 meters (260 yards) of the beach.
21 May, 2008
Chamiza Heads NW over the Gulf Towards Belize
Chamiza left the coast of Honduras yesterday morning and flew across the ocean 62 km (39 miles) to Roatan, the famous resort island in the Caribbean Sea. From there, she continued to migrate NW towards Belize, an additional distance over water of about 165 km (102 miles). She will be the first of our radio-tagged peregrines to pass through Belize.
Using this route, she may also miss Guatemala completely.
From Belize, she will likely either continue to the NW and traverse the Yucatan Peninsula to the Gulf of Mexico (near Elizabetha) or she will follow the coastline of Belize north up to Cancun. If she reaches that point, there is a strong possibility that she may jump to Cuba and then the US. If she goes through Cuba, she will also be the first of our birds to travel up the eastern seaboard in spring. Following this imagined scenario, she could possibly even be a Greenland bird.
So far, Chamiza has successfully avoided a major 300 mile trans-oceanic journey across the Caribbean to the US.
Last night, we did not receive a GPS fix at the normal time so, unfortunately, we do not know exactly where she roosted. But it was most likely in Belize somewhere. She may have slept under a roof or building or even in a tree that blocked her signal.
Don McCall adds...
"By her late afternoon fix she had flown 225 km (140 mi) toward Belize but was still offshore. Her indicated GPS speed at that point was 1 km/hr, which is highly unusual. There have been lots of "zero" speeds, and lots in the 20's, 30's, and 40's, but I don't recall seeing a non-zero speed that was so small, for any bird. Perhaps she's soaring slowly into a headwind, which could give a small indicated speed across the water? Resting on a piece of driftwood? There is no apparent land in that area. Maybe it was just an anomolous signal, since small GPS speeds aren't typically as reliable as position fixes. Unfortunately her overnight GPS fix is missing so we won't know where she spent the night."
There are several possibilities for the 1 km/hour signal including landing on a ship, sitting on a floating log, hovering over prey or even perching on an oil platform.
How does she know to just simply head out to sea in a NW direction? She certainly can't see across the ocean that far. Is she relying on memory? Are there visual clues, perhaps clouds over islands that she can see? What ever it is, it is pretty amazing behavior.
Using this route, she may also miss Guatemala completely.
From Belize, she will likely either continue to the NW and traverse the Yucatan Peninsula to the Gulf of Mexico (near Elizabetha) or she will follow the coastline of Belize north up to Cancun. If she reaches that point, there is a strong possibility that she may jump to Cuba and then the US. If she goes through Cuba, she will also be the first of our birds to travel up the eastern seaboard in spring. Following this imagined scenario, she could possibly even be a Greenland bird.
So far, Chamiza has successfully avoided a major 300 mile trans-oceanic journey across the Caribbean to the US.
Last night, we did not receive a GPS fix at the normal time so, unfortunately, we do not know exactly where she roosted. But it was most likely in Belize somewhere. She may have slept under a roof or building or even in a tree that blocked her signal.
Don McCall adds...
"By her late afternoon fix she had flown 225 km (140 mi) toward Belize but was still offshore. Her indicated GPS speed at that point was 1 km/hr, which is highly unusual. There have been lots of "zero" speeds, and lots in the 20's, 30's, and 40's, but I don't recall seeing a non-zero speed that was so small, for any bird. Perhaps she's soaring slowly into a headwind, which could give a small indicated speed across the water? Resting on a piece of driftwood? There is no apparent land in that area. Maybe it was just an anomolous signal, since small GPS speeds aren't typically as reliable as position fixes. Unfortunately her overnight GPS fix is missing so we won't know where she spent the night."
There are several possibilities for the 1 km/hour signal including landing on a ship, sitting on a floating log, hovering over prey or even perching on an oil platform.
How does she know to just simply head out to sea in a NW direction? She certainly can't see across the ocean that far. Is she relying on memory? Are there visual clues, perhaps clouds over islands that she can see? What ever it is, it is pretty amazing behavior.
Sparrow King In NW Minnesota
Don McCall reports.....
"This is becoming more fascinating every day.
Sparrow King has repeated the same little jog in northwest Minnesota that he performed last year. Not in the same direction, but toward the same spot. It's almost as if he had a particular waypoint in Minnesota that he needed to reach before proceeding farther. He flew 152 km (95 miles) in the past two days."
Our colleague, Alastair Franke, in Canada, reports that breeding pairs of peregrines have already arrived on his study area at Rankin Inlet on Hudson Bay and they are experiencing an early thaw with lots of slush on the ice.
"This is becoming more fascinating every day.
Sparrow King has repeated the same little jog in northwest Minnesota that he performed last year. Not in the same direction, but toward the same spot. It's almost as if he had a particular waypoint in Minnesota that he needed to reach before proceeding farther. He flew 152 km (95 miles) in the past two days."
Our colleague, Alastair Franke, in Canada, reports that breeding pairs of peregrines have already arrived on his study area at Rankin Inlet on Hudson Bay and they are experiencing an early thaw with lots of slush on the ice.
Fireball Enters Mexico
Fireball continued to travel NW through the mountains of Guatemala and on into Mexico yesterday. He is approaching ever closer to the Gulf of Mexico and the stalled-out Elizabetha. He covered 296 km (185 miles) for the day.
He eventually roosted in the state of Chiapas, at a site well above the large impoundment called Presa Belisario Dominguez. He was only 68 km (43 miles) SE of the city of Tuxtla de Gutierrez, near the same route that I followed last fall. The city is located in an incredibly beautiful valley with many high and amazing cliffs along the mountainsides. Gorgeous area of Mexico.
Looks like Fireball roosted within a high mountain forest.
He is only 233 km (138 miles) from the Gulf.
He eventually roosted in the state of Chiapas, at a site well above the large impoundment called Presa Belisario Dominguez. He was only 68 km (43 miles) SE of the city of Tuxtla de Gutierrez, near the same route that I followed last fall. The city is located in an incredibly beautiful valley with many high and amazing cliffs along the mountainsides. Gorgeous area of Mexico.
Looks like Fireball roosted within a high mountain forest.
He is only 233 km (138 miles) from the Gulf.
Elizabetha Slowly Moving West Across Tabasco
Elizabetha is moving at a leisurely pace across the southern Gulf coast of Mexico. She flew only 18 km (12 miles) yesterday and was about 5 km inland.
I am wondering if all of the Gulf migrants (passerines, etc.) have already passed through this area. This falcon may be resting or she may be exploiting a prey source unique to this area. We can't know for certain but there must be some reason she is slowing down.
I am wondering if all of the Gulf migrants (passerines, etc.) have already passed through this area. This falcon may be resting or she may be exploiting a prey source unique to this area. We can't know for certain but there must be some reason she is slowing down.
20 May, 2008
Fireball, Living Up To His Name, Blasts Past 3 Countries In a Day
Fireball really turned on the afterburners yesterday and flew 582 km (362 miles) in a single day. This is over twice his average daily distance so far and one of his longest jumps for the season. He migrated completely through Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and half of Guatemala in a single day!
Connecting the signals, it looks like he continued on up the coast of Nicaragua, flying past Managua and Leon, likely passed over the Bay of Fonseca and continued through the mountains of El Salvador. On this projected route, he would have bypassed Honduras altogether.
By late afternoon, he had entered Guatemala and by dark was about halfway through the country. He roosted in the forested highlands on a mountain ridge in the headwaters of the Motagua River about 29 km (18 miles) north of Guatemala City.
He has nearly caught up (latitudinally) with Chamiza over on the coast of Honduras and may pass her today.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
I was looking at the daily distances that Fireball has traveled thus far on his migration north. I wanted to see how his distance yesterday compared with his other daily totals.
I discovered that I had overlooked one position fix in Ecuador and had erroneously calculated his daily distance for 12 May. In fact, on that day, he covered an astounding 796 km (494 miles) across Peru and Ecuador, the longest single day distance of any of our birds this season and the second longest distance of the study over both spring migrations.
Connecting the signals, it looks like he continued on up the coast of Nicaragua, flying past Managua and Leon, likely passed over the Bay of Fonseca and continued through the mountains of El Salvador. On this projected route, he would have bypassed Honduras altogether.
By late afternoon, he had entered Guatemala and by dark was about halfway through the country. He roosted in the forested highlands on a mountain ridge in the headwaters of the Motagua River about 29 km (18 miles) north of Guatemala City.
He has nearly caught up (latitudinally) with Chamiza over on the coast of Honduras and may pass her today.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
I was looking at the daily distances that Fireball has traveled thus far on his migration north. I wanted to see how his distance yesterday compared with his other daily totals.
I discovered that I had overlooked one position fix in Ecuador and had erroneously calculated his daily distance for 12 May. In fact, on that day, he covered an astounding 796 km (494 miles) across Peru and Ecuador, the longest single day distance of any of our birds this season and the second longest distance of the study over both spring migrations.
Elizabetha Slowly Crossing the Coastal Plain of Mexico
After a one day pause, Elizabetha started moving again yesterday. She covered only 41 km (26 miles) but moved much closer to the Gulf coast. She also changed her heading to WNW in anticipation of the route she will need to follow the coast and eventually reach Veracruz.
Last night, she was only 5 km (3 miles) from the ocean and roosted in a tree in open pasture land near an estuary.
Last night, she was only 5 km (3 miles) from the ocean and roosted in a tree in open pasture land near an estuary.
Chamiza...Look at the Spit of Land Where She Roosted
Chamiza slowed again yesterday and flew only 38 km (24 miles) along her route. She flew north and west along the Honduran coastline, eventually winding up at the tip of a remarkable little spit of land jutting out into the Caribbean Sea. GE shows it to be a flat expanses of low tropical forest with a seaport on the lee side called Puerto Castillo. There are some good blue dot shots of the surroundings, tropical beaches, palm trees, ocean, typical Central American scenes.
As a peregrine biologist, I see the opportunity for banding falcons there. This peninsula forms a nice little natural funnel for northern migrants. Might be a good opportunity for Honduran raptor biologists.
From where she roosted, Chamiza is only a short distance from Raotan and the Isla de Guanaja to the north, i.e. 42 km (26 miles) across the ocean. If she catches a thermal, she could easily see them from her position. There may also be cloud cover over the islands which might spur her on.
Will she make the jump to these islands? Or will she continue flying west?
She seems to be pausing at several of these major route decision points. Is she re-orienting? Is she resting? Or, as Marco Saborio points out, it might just be raining that particular day.
As a peregrine biologist, I see the opportunity for banding falcons there. This peninsula forms a nice little natural funnel for northern migrants. Might be a good opportunity for Honduran raptor biologists.
From where she roosted, Chamiza is only a short distance from Raotan and the Isla de Guanaja to the north, i.e. 42 km (26 miles) across the ocean. If she catches a thermal, she could easily see them from her position. There may also be cloud cover over the islands which might spur her on.
Will she make the jump to these islands? Or will she continue flying west?
She seems to be pausing at several of these major route decision points. Is she re-orienting? Is she resting? Or, as Marco Saborio points out, it might just be raining that particular day.
19 May, 2008
Sparrow King in Minnesota
Comments from Don McCall...
"Sparrow King had a relatively easy couple of days, and flew another 502 km (312 mi) as of yesterday; he's now in Minnesota. There were numerous 0-qual fixes in that area (nothing better) and they were scattered all over the place, so it wasn't clear which ones to actually plot. The indicated track ought to be fairly close to what he actually flew but don't place too much faith in the exact locations of each point."
So we know he is in Minnesota, probably somewhere between Duluth and Fargo, North Dakota. He is not far from the Canadian border. And he also hesitated in this area last year.
Next signals in two days for this guy.
"Sparrow King had a relatively easy couple of days, and flew another 502 km (312 mi) as of yesterday; he's now in Minnesota. There were numerous 0-qual fixes in that area (nothing better) and they were scattered all over the place, so it wasn't clear which ones to actually plot. The indicated track ought to be fairly close to what he actually flew but don't place too much faith in the exact locations of each point."
So we know he is in Minnesota, probably somewhere between Duluth and Fargo, North Dakota. He is not far from the Canadian border. And he also hesitated in this area last year.
Next signals in two days for this guy.
Chamiza At Another Decision Point in Honduras
Chamiza flew north yesterday, migrating 204 km (127 miles) across Honduras and arriving near the Caribbean coastline once again. Looks like she roosted in a tree in a large pasture area, which is so typical for many of the Central American roosting sites that we are seeing.
From her present position, she will have to either continue along the classic line by taking a hard left to the west or make a jump across the Caribbean, perhaps facilitated by the presence of some islands (Islas de Bahia) to her north.
With her slight preference to move towards the east, it is anyone's guess if and where she will make her jump, or even if she will cross at all. But today is yet another one of those fascinating days when we will see what this uniquely beautiful bird is going to do.
From her present position, she will have to either continue along the classic line by taking a hard left to the west or make a jump across the Caribbean, perhaps facilitated by the presence of some islands (Islas de Bahia) to her north.
With her slight preference to move towards the east, it is anyone's guess if and where she will make her jump, or even if she will cross at all. But today is yet another one of those fascinating days when we will see what this uniquely beautiful bird is going to do.
Fireball in Nicaragua
Fireball flew entirely across Costa Rica, covering 411 km (256 miles) in a single day. He is definitely making some good time through Central America.
He shifted course over to the Pacific Ocean side and later roosted in the hills between Lake Nicaragua and the ocean. The highway passes right along the lake to his east and from this road you can see both the lake and ocean at one time. Once again, he is helping us to recognize and define the "classic" peregrine route. Several of our birds have passed along this path.
Fireball should pass by Managua today.
He shifted course over to the Pacific Ocean side and later roosted in the hills between Lake Nicaragua and the ocean. The highway passes right along the lake to his east and from this road you can see both the lake and ocean at one time. Once again, he is helping us to recognize and define the "classic" peregrine route. Several of our birds have passed along this path.
Fireball should pass by Managua today.
Elizabetha Takes A Day Off
Elizabetha flew a scant 2.15 km (1.33 miles) yesterday. She flew across the river and roosted in another pasture. She is slightly closer to the Gulf now.
18 May, 2008
Chamiza Scorching Across Central America
Chamiza really covered some ground yesterday, migrating 477 km (297 miles) out of Costa Rica, all the way across Nicaragua and barely into Honduras. Considering the tropical heat in that region, she really moved hard. In fact, she may be starting to catch up with Elizabetha.
In the afternoon, she did her usual "lean" towards the NE, suggesting that she may reach the coast again soon. If so, she could try crossing the Caribbean, either in Honduras or perhaps in Cozumel. From either point, she could try for a jump to Cuba. It is going to be interesting to see what she does.
In the afternoon, she did her usual "lean" towards the NE, suggesting that she may reach the coast again soon. If so, she could try crossing the Caribbean, either in Honduras or perhaps in Cozumel. From either point, she could try for a jump to Cuba. It is going to be interesting to see what she does.
Fireball Reaches Costa Rica
Fireball flew west yesterday, crossing over the rest of Panama and entering Costa Rica along the Caribbean coastline. He flew 346 km (215 miles) for the day and roosted just outside the town of Puerto Viejo. He was not very far from the hawkwatching site a Kekoldi. Incidentally, we received word this week that they are not counting there this spring.
Fireball roosted in some forest near town and only about 745 meters (800 yards) from the coastline.
Fireball roosted in some forest near town and only about 745 meters (800 yards) from the coastline.
Elizabetha Approaching the Gulf of Mexico
Elizabetha had a slow day yesterday in the tropical lowlands of Mexico. She only flew 99 km (66 miles) towards the coast and settled in for the night near a major river in Tabasco. This was the area hit so hard last year with major flooding. She should be arriving at the Gulf today.
17 May, 2008
Chamiza Traverses Costa Rica
Chamiza flew up the eastern seaboard of Costa Rica yesterday. Although we can't pinpoint her exact route, it appears that she most likely reached the coastline and simply followed it to the NW. It is possible that she passed by Kekoldi en route. She flew 284 km (177 miles) during the course of the day.
She arrived near the border with Nicaragua and roosted several kilometers inland in continuous lowland forest about 16 km (10 miles) SW of the coastal town of Colorado and the Laguna Samay.
Chamiza continues to show a tendency to veer east on her journey.
She arrived near the border with Nicaragua and roosted several kilometers inland in continuous lowland forest about 16 km (10 miles) SW of the coastal town of Colorado and the Laguna Samay.
Chamiza continues to show a tendency to veer east on her journey.
Elizabetha Reaches Mexico
Elizabetha flew NW yesterday and took the overland route across Guatemala. She entered into Mexico and continued flying through the southern mountains. She passed near the ruins of Palenque on her way towards the Gulf of Mexico. Her distance for the day was 287 km (179 miles).
Last night, she slept in a tree on the outskirts of the town of Salto de Agua. Her roost was very near the junction of two roads and within 29 meters (94 feet) of a building (likely a house) in a neighborhood. There are some great blue dot pictures of the area showing the habitat on GE.
This was one of the areas that experienced the great floods last fall.
She should reach the Gulf of Mexico sometime this morning. She was only 114 km (71 miles) south of there last night.
Last night, she slept in a tree on the outskirts of the town of Salto de Agua. Her roost was very near the junction of two roads and within 29 meters (94 feet) of a building (likely a house) in a neighborhood. There are some great blue dot pictures of the area showing the habitat on GE.
This was one of the areas that experienced the great floods last fall.
She should reach the Gulf of Mexico sometime this morning. She was only 114 km (71 miles) south of there last night.
Fireball Near the Panama Canal
Fireball took his time progressing through Panama yesterday. He flew 245 km (152 miles), having slowed considerably from his long distance flights over the last few days. He is still following the classic route and but is now well behind the two females.
Last night, Fireball roosted in the dense tropical forest just east of the Canal Zone and only 6.5 km (4 miles) from Guido Berguidos place where I stayed last year. I can tell you that he was listening to howler monkeys last night and lots of parrots this morning.
He is likely to have crossed over the canal by the time you are reading this blog.
Last night, Fireball roosted in the dense tropical forest just east of the Canal Zone and only 6.5 km (4 miles) from Guido Berguidos place where I stayed last year. I can tell you that he was listening to howler monkeys last night and lots of parrots this morning.
He is likely to have crossed over the canal by the time you are reading this blog.
16 May, 2008
Sparrow King In South Dakota
Sparrow King covered a solid 548 km (340 miles) over the last two days and is now near Sioux Falls, SD.
Sparky roosted in what looks like a woodlot in an agricultural area. The site is a little over a mile off Highway 18 and 42 km (26 miles) SW of Sioux Falls.
He is continuing to fly directly through the Central Flyway, paralleling and now converging on his route from last year. In fact, he has largely been repeating his general spring migration route from 2007 all the way from South America.
This is one of the main questions that we have been looking at with the Southern Cross Peregrine Project, i.e. do peregrines use the same routes each year? In the case of Sparrow King, it is beginning to look like at least one adult male does.
Sparky roosted in what looks like a woodlot in an agricultural area. The site is a little over a mile off Highway 18 and 42 km (26 miles) SW of Sioux Falls.
He is continuing to fly directly through the Central Flyway, paralleling and now converging on his route from last year. In fact, he has largely been repeating his general spring migration route from 2007 all the way from South America.
This is one of the main questions that we have been looking at with the Southern Cross Peregrine Project, i.e. do peregrines use the same routes each year? In the case of Sparrow King, it is beginning to look like at least one adult male does.
Fireball Inches Into Panama
Fireball moved slowly up the coast yesterday, leaving Colombia and migrating into Panama. He stayed right along the coastline and migrated only 124 km (77 miles) for the day. Perhaps it was raining there yesterday.
He is now in the Darien region of Panama.
He put into roost early in the afternoon and slept on a forested ridgetop on another coastal peninsula right on the coast. Are those yachts in the bay below him on GE?
He is now in the Darien region of Panama.
He put into roost early in the afternoon and slept on a forested ridgetop on another coastal peninsula right on the coast. Are those yachts in the bay below him on GE?
Elizabetha Crossing Guatemala
Elizabetha did continue NW yesterday as we expected. It looks like she may just barely have crossed over the corner of El Salvador. From there, she completed her transit of Honduras and kept going into Guatemala. Elizabetha is migrating hard and covered 400 km (249 miles) for the day, almost twice her average distance and nearly matching her record so far.
She flew over some beautiful, high country in Honduras. There are lots of heavily vegetated tropical forests, volcanos, many hills and ridges, settled basins and really winding roads going up and down.
In Guatemala, our bird remained in the higher country and avoided descending into the humid lowland jungles.
I remember this highland area quite well from the drive last fall. There are steep mountains, rushing rivers in deep canyons, many small villages and huts and, without question, some of the most beautiful people I have ever seen in my life. Like most mountain people, they had little but appeared to be radiantly happy. The colors of their attire was breathtakingly gorgeous, and each valley had their own patterns, colors and weaves. It is a remarkable place that I will never forget.
Last night, Elizabetha roosted in a stand of forest in a very unusual geological area. There seem to be some odd, almost cellular-shaped formations creating the ridgelines there. They are visible on GE.
She was only 47 km (37 miles) from the Mexican border and should be flying into that country right about now.
She flew over some beautiful, high country in Honduras. There are lots of heavily vegetated tropical forests, volcanos, many hills and ridges, settled basins and really winding roads going up and down.
In Guatemala, our bird remained in the higher country and avoided descending into the humid lowland jungles.
I remember this highland area quite well from the drive last fall. There are steep mountains, rushing rivers in deep canyons, many small villages and huts and, without question, some of the most beautiful people I have ever seen in my life. Like most mountain people, they had little but appeared to be radiantly happy. The colors of their attire was breathtakingly gorgeous, and each valley had their own patterns, colors and weaves. It is a remarkable place that I will never forget.
Last night, Elizabetha roosted in a stand of forest in a very unusual geological area. There seem to be some odd, almost cellular-shaped formations creating the ridgelines there. They are visible on GE.
She was only 47 km (37 miles) from the Mexican border and should be flying into that country right about now.
Chamiza Roosts Offshore
Chamiza is living up to her reputation as an unusual peregrine. Yesterday she headed NW and by late afternoon was flying well out over the Caribbean, 41 km (26 miles) offshore from Bocas Del Toro. From there, she turned abruptly to the SW, perhaps tiring, and eventually reached a small island called Isla Escoudo de Veraguas. She had covered at least 276 km (171 miles) for the day although out there over the sea, it could have been considerably more.
Mark has noticed that Chamiza seems to have this slight tendency to want to go NE on her way north. Does this mean she will be a Greenland bird? We would all love to see that of course but only time will tell. She has her own "agenda".
She roosted on what looks to be a small sandy island in a lagoon and just offshore from the main island. The GE resolution is poor here. It looks to me like an ideal place for palm trees. Anyone been there?
Mark has noticed that Chamiza seems to have this slight tendency to want to go NE on her way north. Does this mean she will be a Greenland bird? We would all love to see that of course but only time will tell. She has her own "agenda".
She roosted on what looks to be a small sandy island in a lagoon and just offshore from the main island. The GE resolution is poor here. It looks to me like an ideal place for palm trees. Anyone been there?
NEW MIGRATION MAP AVAILABLE ON SCCP WEBPAGE
Mark and Don have put together a new map illustrating and comparing the routes of all four of the SCPP satellite tagged peregrines this season. It is located on the Southern Cross page next to the tracking maps, blog and summary buttons. Click on it and you will obtain a picture of their overall routes going north.
It is particularly helpful in defining their common paths along the west coast of South America. For example, looking at this map you can easily see that three of the falcons passed over the same point, e.g. that coastal peninsula in Colombia.
Check it out.
And thanks to Mark and Don for continuing to improve the website and making it easier for us all to understand the migration to an even greater degree.
It is particularly helpful in defining their common paths along the west coast of South America. For example, looking at this map you can easily see that three of the falcons passed over the same point, e.g. that coastal peninsula in Colombia.
Check it out.
And thanks to Mark and Don for continuing to improve the website and making it easier for us all to understand the migration to an even greater degree.
15 May, 2008
Fireball Approaching Panama
Fireball continues to track up the now-classic line along the Pacific coast of Colombia. The longer our study goes along and the more data we accumulate, the more I am impressed with the Pacific coastline of Colombia as a migratory corridor for peregrines.
Fireball is definitely in the migration mode and has been covering substantial amounts of ground over the last few days. You can clearly see the comparatively long length of his jumps on his webpage map.
He touched down last night at the tip of a coastal peninsula and roosted in a tree near to the heavily vegetated shoreline. His position was approximately 72 km (45 miles) south of the border with Panama. In addition, he was only 341 km (211 miles) behind Chamiza in Panama.
By tomorrow, three of our tagged peregrines should all be moving through Central America.
Fireball is definitely in the migration mode and has been covering substantial amounts of ground over the last few days. You can clearly see the comparatively long length of his jumps on his webpage map.
He touched down last night at the tip of a coastal peninsula and roosted in a tree near to the heavily vegetated shoreline. His position was approximately 72 km (45 miles) south of the border with Panama. In addition, he was only 341 km (211 miles) behind Chamiza in Panama.
By tomorrow, three of our tagged peregrines should all be moving through Central America.
Elizabetha Now in Honduras
Elizabetha flew NW yesterday, leaving Nicaragua and flying 157 km (98 miles) into Honduras. She went inland instead of crossing the Gulf of Fonseca and roosted just east of the border with El Salvador. She appears to have slept in a large tree within a pastured field and not far from a road.
Her current heading suggests that she may continue to the NW and perhaps bypass El Salvador completely. She may opt instead for the highlands of Honduras.
Her current heading suggests that she may continue to the NW and perhaps bypass El Salvador completely. She may opt instead for the highlands of Honduras.
Chamiza Migrates West and Arrives In Panama
Chamiza took a hard left turn to the west yesterday and avoided the 560 km (350 mile) Caribbean crossing to the Dominican Republic. She has now dropped back into the classic migration slot and should stay traditional for the next week or so.
She was still east of Panama City last night, having flown 346 km (215 miles) in a straight line distance from Colombia. We don't know if she directly crossed the Caribbean or if she dipped down and followed the coastline to the south first. Not enough signals.
She should be flying over the Panama Canal, perhaps near Gamboa, sometime this morning. Too cool!
I hope that she says hello to our friends Guido, Beni, Rosabel, Karl and Laura.
She was still east of Panama City last night, having flown 346 km (215 miles) in a straight line distance from Colombia. We don't know if she directly crossed the Caribbean or if she dipped down and followed the coastline to the south first. Not enough signals.
She should be flying over the Panama Canal, perhaps near Gamboa, sometime this morning. Too cool!
I hope that she says hello to our friends Guido, Beni, Rosabel, Karl and Laura.
14 May, 2008
Chamiza in Pause Mode
Our remarkable female peregrine, Chamiza, has remained along the Caribbean coast of Colombia for another day.
Don McCall writes of her...
"This is probably just my imagination, but Chamiza seems puzzled by all that water in front of her. She's likely just hunting and resting for a couple of days. In any case, she flew only 32 km (20 mi) closer to the Caribbean coast yesterday, then backtracked 7 km (4 mi) inland during the evening hours."
Good comments by Don.
One wonders if she has never traveled this route before and is perhaps hesitant. Or it could simply be that it is raining hard on the coast or that she is tired or hungry. All good suggestions but merely that. She will, of course, move whenever she wants to, despite our impatience and burning curiosity to see where she goes.
If she does not get moving, Fireball will be overtaking her soon.
Don McCall writes of her...
"This is probably just my imagination, but Chamiza seems puzzled by all that water in front of her. She's likely just hunting and resting for a couple of days. In any case, she flew only 32 km (20 mi) closer to the Caribbean coast yesterday, then backtracked 7 km (4 mi) inland during the evening hours."
Good comments by Don.
One wonders if she has never traveled this route before and is perhaps hesitant. Or it could simply be that it is raining hard on the coast or that she is tired or hungry. All good suggestions but merely that. She will, of course, move whenever she wants to, despite our impatience and burning curiosity to see where she goes.
If she does not get moving, Fireball will be overtaking her soon.
Elizabetha Enters Nicaragua
Elizabetha is back on track and continuing her steady migration to the NW. She passed out of Costa Rica and flew well into Nicaragua, covering 246 km (153 miles) before putting into roost in the hills NW of Managua.
She appears to have followed the coastal route, which would have taken her along or above Lago Nicaragua. I drove that stretch of road last fall. The land is full of small ranches set among patches of verdant forests filled with parrots and green rolling pastures. It is tropical low country with the brown waters of the lake to the east and the blue Pacific well to the west. It was certainly one of the highlights of the journey as I had always wanted to see this gigantic lake with its islands and volcanos, its whitecaps and windy, distant shores. Quite a place.
She appears to have followed the coastal route, which would have taken her along or above Lago Nicaragua. I drove that stretch of road last fall. The land is full of small ranches set among patches of verdant forests filled with parrots and green rolling pastures. It is tropical low country with the brown waters of the lake to the east and the blue Pacific well to the west. It was certainly one of the highlights of the journey as I had always wanted to see this gigantic lake with its islands and volcanos, its whitecaps and windy, distant shores. Quite a place.
Fireball Into Colombia
Fireball is gaining on Chamiza and the two could intercept each other in the near future. Yesterday, he continued flying up the coast of Ecuador and then moved along that enticing coastline of Colombia, as most of our birds have done so far. This has got to be one of the major peregrine pathways out of South America and has great potential for a banding operation in the future.
Fireball flew 373 km (232 miles) for the day and roosted in heavy forest but right along a side channel of an estuary. He was about 114 km (71 miles) southwest of the famous town of Cali. He is definitely in the tropics now and last night became the final one of our tagged peregrines to cross the equator this season.
Fireball flew 373 km (232 miles) for the day and roosted in heavy forest but right along a side channel of an estuary. He was about 114 km (71 miles) southwest of the famous town of Cali. He is definitely in the tropics now and last night became the final one of our tagged peregrines to cross the equator this season.
Sparrow King Crossing the US Heartland
Sparky flew another 879 km (546 miles) over the last two days, passing through Texas, Oklahoma and then into Kansas. He is generally following the same route as last year but slightly more to the east.
He roosted near Sunflower Road about 3.3 km (2 miles) south of Marion, Kansas and west of Interstate 77. He was not far from the Cottonwood River.
He roosted near Sunflower Road about 3.3 km (2 miles) south of Marion, Kansas and west of Interstate 77. He was not far from the Cottonwood River.
13 May, 2008
Fireball Sets A New Record Crossing Into Ecuador
Fireball absolutely rocketed north yesterday, flying from the northern coast of Peru most of the way across Ecuador. He had a "hot day" traveling an atounding total of 796.8 km (494.6 miles) towards home! This is a new record for him and the greatest distance he has traveled so far during his 2008 northern migration.
We did not get enough signals to tell whether he crossed the Gulf of Guayaquil or not (like Seven last year) but it is a definite possibility.
He followed the coast north and later in the day moved inland, eventually roosting in a patch of continuous tropical forest 6 km (4 miles) from the water. He was near the town of Cojimies, and a salt-water estuary with an abundant concentration of shrimp farms.
We did not get enough signals to tell whether he crossed the Gulf of Guayaquil or not (like Seven last year) but it is a definite possibility.
He followed the coast north and later in the day moved inland, eventually roosting in a patch of continuous tropical forest 6 km (4 miles) from the water. He was near the town of Cojimies, and a salt-water estuary with an abundant concentration of shrimp farms.
Elizabetha Traverses Costa Rica In A Day!
Elizabetha shot across the entire country of Costa Rica yesterday flying 285 km (177 miles) in a single day. This was definitley alot faster than me driving through there last fall but then, she took the direct route.
Looks like our colleague Marco Saborio may have been right about the change in weather impacting her movement.
She put in to roost in the central mountains to the north and the GE coverage there is quite poor. Looks like heavy tropical rain forest but I can't be certain.
She was only about 5.8 km (3.6 miles) from the border with Nicaragua and just 14 km (9 miles) from the south shore of Lake Nicaragua.
Looks like our colleague Marco Saborio may have been right about the change in weather impacting her movement.
She put in to roost in the central mountains to the north and the GE coverage there is quite poor. Looks like heavy tropical rain forest but I can't be certain.
She was only about 5.8 km (3.6 miles) from the border with Nicaragua and just 14 km (9 miles) from the south shore of Lake Nicaragua.
Chamiza Nears the Caribbean
Chamiza continued flying to the NW yesterday. She migrated 157 km (98 miles) towards the Caribbean and eventually roosted about 15 km (9 miles) inland near the city of Lorica. Panama is only 184 km (114 miles) to the west from her location last night.
She roosted in an area with good GE coverage. It looks like she must have slept in a tree in a large open field, no doubt on someone's finca or ranch. The area has been cleared for pasture and there is a dirt road near her roost.
If you look at the entire map of her journey so far, it is evident that she is following nearly the same routes as our other falcons except further to the east. She began by flying up the Andean front in Chile, moved into the highlands of the Altiplano into Argentina, stayed high through Bolivia and southern Peru and then did her drop down into the Amazon Basin. But from there, she has generally paralleled the classic coastline route, albeit on the backside of the Andes.
At the northern end of the South American continent, she seems to be trying to continue the track but will, of course, immediately run out of terra firma if she continues NW. So as she approaches the actual coastline today (the first time in 30 days of migration), she will be "making the decision" to proceed north along the seashore to Baranquilla or "counter-intuitively" to fly SW towards Panama.
I am using the preceeding words in quotations figuratively of course. I do not mean to imply that she is sitting there actually making a rational decision. But again, it does beg the common question of what is driving her and how does she "select" a particular route?
Is it strictly instinct honed by centuries of natural selection? If she has flown this route before, is there any type of memory, perhaps even of specific landmarks, involved? Is there some sort of rudimentary thought process going on? Do migrant peregrines make choices at all? Are they capable of making choices concerning their migratory routes? Does a peregrine have some sort of consciousness and if so, what is it like inside their brains? Difficult questions to answer.
She roosted in an area with good GE coverage. It looks like she must have slept in a tree in a large open field, no doubt on someone's finca or ranch. The area has been cleared for pasture and there is a dirt road near her roost.
If you look at the entire map of her journey so far, it is evident that she is following nearly the same routes as our other falcons except further to the east. She began by flying up the Andean front in Chile, moved into the highlands of the Altiplano into Argentina, stayed high through Bolivia and southern Peru and then did her drop down into the Amazon Basin. But from there, she has generally paralleled the classic coastline route, albeit on the backside of the Andes.
At the northern end of the South American continent, she seems to be trying to continue the track but will, of course, immediately run out of terra firma if she continues NW. So as she approaches the actual coastline today (the first time in 30 days of migration), she will be "making the decision" to proceed north along the seashore to Baranquilla or "counter-intuitively" to fly SW towards Panama.
I am using the preceeding words in quotations figuratively of course. I do not mean to imply that she is sitting there actually making a rational decision. But again, it does beg the common question of what is driving her and how does she "select" a particular route?
Is it strictly instinct honed by centuries of natural selection? If she has flown this route before, is there any type of memory, perhaps even of specific landmarks, involved? Is there some sort of rudimentary thought process going on? Do migrant peregrines make choices at all? Are they capable of making choices concerning their migratory routes? Does a peregrine have some sort of consciousness and if so, what is it like inside their brains? Difficult questions to answer.
12 May, 2008
Fireball Heading for the Gulf of Guayaquil
Fireball is continuing to follow the coastal heading through Peru. He will soon arrive at a major dogleg along his route. Will he jump across the Gulf on an over-water crossing to Ecuador or will he turn NE and stay with the coastline?
Don adds...
"Fireball didn't go anywhere yesterday, but early this morning, between his 0500Z GPS fix and a Doppler fix at 0934Z, he flew 214 km (133 mi). He could end up with a very big day today."
Don adds...
"Fireball didn't go anywhere yesterday, but early this morning, between his 0500Z GPS fix and a Doppler fix at 0934Z, he flew 214 km (133 mi). He could end up with a very big day today."
Elizabetha Enters Costa Rica
Elizabetha is putting in some miles again. She migrated across the Bocas Del Toro in Panama and entered into the SE lobe of Costa Rica yesterday, covering 113 km (70 miles) for the day. Her afternoon signal indicates that she was flying along the coastal mountains but then she dropped down towards the coast to roost. Looks like she ended up sleeping in the forest there.
We think that she is very near to the famous hawk counting station at Kekoldi and we hope that our Costa Rican colleagues there are looking for her. Can anyone provide us with the exact latitude and longitude for the Kekoldi site?
Last year, our friend, Marco Saborio, unforgettably took some photos of Linda, another one of our migrant adult females in Costa Rica.
Marco just wrote me an e-mail with the following comments. They give a unique insight from his part of the world and I am adding them to help us all understand peregrine migration.
"Hola Bud,
Thanks for the information, the picture below shows the typical cloud cover of the last two days, you can see the heavy clouds all over the Western Panama area, in Costa Rica we had a lot of rain and I figure out the same was happening in Panama. After tracking the migration and the weather at the same time for several years, my experience is that in conditions like the one in the picture the migrants are stopped or have to migrate very slowly.
The next picture shows the conditions today, as you can see Panama and SE Costa Rica are totally open now. I have no doubt that Elizabetha will have perfect conditions all day long."
Marco reminds us all of the important impacts of rain on falcon migration. Is it a major factor in the "equatorial pause"?
We think that she is very near to the famous hawk counting station at Kekoldi and we hope that our Costa Rican colleagues there are looking for her. Can anyone provide us with the exact latitude and longitude for the Kekoldi site?
Last year, our friend, Marco Saborio, unforgettably took some photos of Linda, another one of our migrant adult females in Costa Rica.
Marco just wrote me an e-mail with the following comments. They give a unique insight from his part of the world and I am adding them to help us all understand peregrine migration.
"Hola Bud,
Thanks for the information, the picture below shows the typical cloud cover of the last two days, you can see the heavy clouds all over the Western Panama area, in Costa Rica we had a lot of rain and I figure out the same was happening in Panama. After tracking the migration and the weather at the same time for several years, my experience is that in conditions like the one in the picture the migrants are stopped or have to migrate very slowly.
The next picture shows the conditions today, as you can see Panama and SE Costa Rica are totally open now. I have no doubt that Elizabetha will have perfect conditions all day long."
Marco reminds us all of the important impacts of rain on falcon migration. Is it a major factor in the "equatorial pause"?
Chamiza Makes Her Bid
Chamiza had a break-out day yesterday. She made a sudden, significant turn to the NW and flew across a mountain range and valley north of Medellin in Colombia. She covered 398 km (247 miles) in a day and has now entered the lowlands near Caucasia (elevation 174'). She roosted about 168 km (104 miles) from the Caribbean coastline and appears to be heading for Panama.
How did she know?
How did she know?
Sparky Catches Fire!
Don McCall summarizes it nicely.......
"A most interesting day! Sparrow King had an amazing two days even by his own standards. On the 10th and 11th (with possibly a few hours' flying on the evening of the 9th) he covered 1216 km (756 miles) and is now in central Texas. He is still following last year's track very closely. Let's hope his tail feathers aren't singed too badly."
What more can I say?
"A most interesting day! Sparrow King had an amazing two days even by his own standards. On the 10th and 11th (with possibly a few hours' flying on the evening of the 9th) he covered 1216 km (756 miles) and is now in central Texas. He is still following last year's track very closely. Let's hope his tail feathers aren't singed too badly."
What more can I say?
11 May, 2008
Fireball Still Following the Classic Coastal route
Fireball is gradually moving up the coast of Peru and covered 224 km (139 miles) yesterday. He left the Trujillo area, passed by Pacasmayo and Chiclayo and is now in Lambayeque Department.
The GE coverage here is fairly poor in resolution but he roosted about 3 miles inland from the coast.
Oddly enough, I was just checking out an article on surfing in Peru and this is one of the areas undergoing an explosion of the sport among Peruvian youth. Inspired in part by a world class Peruvian woman surfer, "La Gringa", the beaches of northern Peru are now one of the centers of the sport in South America.
Who would have thought......?
The GE coverage here is fairly poor in resolution but he roosted about 3 miles inland from the coast.
Oddly enough, I was just checking out an article on surfing in Peru and this is one of the areas undergoing an explosion of the sport among Peruvian youth. Inspired in part by a world class Peruvian woman surfer, "La Gringa", the beaches of northern Peru are now one of the centers of the sport in South America.
Who would have thought......?
Elizabetha Rounds the Curve of Panama
Elizabetha has now flown west to the Bocas Del Toro area of Panama. From here, she will resume her migration heading to the NW through Central America. No more flying to the SW. She covered 104 km (65 miles) yesterday, still moving along at a slow pace through Panama.
She is sticking to the Caribbean coastline and will be arriving in Costa Rica soon.
Last night, she roosted on an intriguing little delta (the Boca de Cricamola) formed by a small river flowing into the sea. Check it out on GE. She slept quite near the water once again.
Peregrine banders.....check out the long sandy beach 15 miles to the east!
She is sticking to the Caribbean coastline and will be arriving in Costa Rica soon.
Last night, she roosted on an intriguing little delta (the Boca de Cricamola) formed by a small river flowing into the sea. Check it out on GE. She slept quite near the water once again.
Peregrine banders.....check out the long sandy beach 15 miles to the east!
Chamiza Heading Into the Mountains Again
Yesterday, Chamiza altered her course and headed up into the higher elevation mountains again. She flew past Bogota and ever nearer to the border with Venezuela. She migrated another 163 km (101 miles) in her progression north so she is still moving in a series of short jumps.
She is now approaching the next geographic "wishbone" on her journey, a "Y" formed by the bifurcation of the mountains in this region of South America. Depending on her choice, this split will lead her either to Caracas to the east, the island of Aruba to the north or the port of Barranquila to the NW.
Between them lies Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in South America (a distinction that I erroneously ascribed to Lake Titcaca in an earlier post). Whichever of these routes that she takes, it will lead to the shores of the Caribbean Sea, a formidable migration barrier. How is she going to respond to this broad ocean that she cannot see across?
Incidentally, I just spoke with Dr. Bill Mattox, a noted authority on Greenland peregrines. Bill regularly vacations on Aruba and reminded me that a Greenland banded bird was recovered on this island years ago.
She is now approaching the next geographic "wishbone" on her journey, a "Y" formed by the bifurcation of the mountains in this region of South America. Depending on her choice, this split will lead her either to Caracas to the east, the island of Aruba to the north or the port of Barranquila to the NW.
Between them lies Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in South America (a distinction that I erroneously ascribed to Lake Titcaca in an earlier post). Whichever of these routes that she takes, it will lead to the shores of the Caribbean Sea, a formidable migration barrier. How is she going to respond to this broad ocean that she cannot see across?
Incidentally, I just spoke with Dr. Bill Mattox, a noted authority on Greenland peregrines. Bill regularly vacations on Aruba and reminded me that a Greenland banded bird was recovered on this island years ago.
10 May, 2008
Sparrow King Flies Over Chi Chi in Veracruz!
We received some more PTT signals from our amazing adult male today. They indicate that he flew an additional 821 km (512 miles) over the last few days. He did cross the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as expected and arrived on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
Even cooler, he flew right along the classic migration route right by Veracruz. From there he continued north along the coastal plain and crossed within a minimum of 3.7 km (2.3 miles) of the hawk counting site at Chi chi, site of the new River of Raptors observation building (which you can see on GE).
If Sparrow King flew along a line connecting the two signal dots, he may have passed even closer to the site. There is little doubt that spring hawk counters at Chi Chi would have seen him. Anyone know if they are counting there right now?
From there, he continued up the coast, eventually flying north of Nautla on Highway 180 towards the US. The signal shows his position located right along the highway and very close to the Gulf.
I have driven this stretch of road several times, the last time during the chase south last fall. It is hot, tropical, lush, and beautiful with lots of palm trees.
There are also an extraordinary number of "topes", in fact, more than anywhere I have ever been. I suspect that it is the tope capitol of the world. Topes are also called "sleeping policemen". They are speed bumps on steroids, designed to take out your suspension if you hit them too fast. All of the towns along this highway have them.
Even cooler, he flew right along the classic migration route right by Veracruz. From there he continued north along the coastal plain and crossed within a minimum of 3.7 km (2.3 miles) of the hawk counting site at Chi chi, site of the new River of Raptors observation building (which you can see on GE).
If Sparrow King flew along a line connecting the two signal dots, he may have passed even closer to the site. There is little doubt that spring hawk counters at Chi Chi would have seen him. Anyone know if they are counting there right now?
From there, he continued up the coast, eventually flying north of Nautla on Highway 180 towards the US. The signal shows his position located right along the highway and very close to the Gulf.
I have driven this stretch of road several times, the last time during the chase south last fall. It is hot, tropical, lush, and beautiful with lots of palm trees.
There are also an extraordinary number of "topes", in fact, more than anywhere I have ever been. I suspect that it is the tope capitol of the world. Topes are also called "sleeping policemen". They are speed bumps on steroids, designed to take out your suspension if you hit them too fast. All of the towns along this highway have them.
Fireball Near Trujillo
Fireball is moving north along the coast in shorter jumps over the last two days. After putting in 182 km (113 miles) yesterday, it looks like he may have hunted the agricultural fields south of Trujillo. On GE, you can see an enormous number of chicken breeding sheds in the area. Of course, these areas also support high numbers of wild prey birds as we have seen in both Peru and Chile.
Last night, he roosted in the high arid mountains SE of the city. Hopefully, he will have selected a safe roost above the ground.
Last night, he roosted in the high arid mountains SE of the city. Hopefully, he will have selected a safe roost above the ground.
Elizabetha Moving Slowly Through Panama
Like Chamiza, Elizabetha is moving very slowly through the tropics. Yesterday she flew only 44 km (27 miles) along the Caribbean coastline. She seems to be hugging the coast for some reason. Perhaps it is cooler there or easier to hunt prey over the sea.
At this point in her migration, she is flying along a SW heading, which is a major depature from her normal NW heading. Could it be that re-calibrating her heading is somehow involved in the equatorial slowdown? Food for thought anyway.
It looks like she roosted right over the beach last night. I wonder what species of tree she selected?
At this point in her migration, she is flying along a SW heading, which is a major depature from her normal NW heading. Could it be that re-calibrating her heading is somehow involved in the equatorial slowdown? Food for thought anyway.
It looks like she roosted right over the beach last night. I wonder what species of tree she selected?
Chamiza Trending NE in Colombia
This very interesting falcon is definitely showing the equatorial slowdown tendency. She has spent 5 (18%) of her total of 27 migration days in Colombia. Yesterday, she traveled only 89 km (55 miles) through the agricultural lands on the lee side of the Andes. She did turn a bit more to the NE, suggesting that she is going to take the Gulf route.
Last night, she roosted along another river. She certainly seems to like them for whatever reason.
Last night, she roosted along another river. She certainly seems to like them for whatever reason.
09 May, 2008
Check This Out!
Mark Prostor points out that Elizabetha roosted in an area of Panama that has some pretty high resolution coverage on Google Earth.
If you check out her roosting site for last night, you can see the dark shadow of the tree where she likely slept. It is in a clearing or pasture just inland from the shoreline and not too far from three different houses or outbuildings.
This is a fairly good example of the potential of this technology.
If you check out her roosting site for last night, you can see the dark shadow of the tree where she likely slept. It is in a clearing or pasture just inland from the shoreline and not too far from three different houses or outbuildings.
This is a fairly good example of the potential of this technology.
Fireball Still Following the Classic Coastal Route
On Thursday, Fireball continued to migrate up the coast of Peru. He had almost left the Department (county) of Lima and flew about 145 km (91 miles) for the day. This shorter movement is not unexpected after two long distance days in a row. He was about 16 km (10 miles) SW of the ruins of Chankillo and the Thirteen Towers.
It appears from the signals that he roosted on the ground on a low hill out in the desert. After seeing what happened to Paco, we now consider these ground roosts to be a perilous position for migrant peregrines.
It appears from the signals that he roosted on the ground on a low hill out in the desert. After seeing what happened to Paco, we now consider these ground roosts to be a perilous position for migrant peregrines.
Fireball Moving Into Northern Peru
On Wednesday, Fireball continued north and added some really good mileage. He is definitely zooming hard lately. He covered another 383 km (298 miles), flying past Lima and getting up to near the Rio Supe delta.
He roosted, apparently on a cliff, in the most beautiful little half-moon bay about 2 km (1.3 miles) west of the Pan-Am Highway. You can check it out on GE when we add the map later today.
He roosted, apparently on a cliff, in the most beautiful little half-moon bay about 2 km (1.3 miles) west of the Pan-Am Highway. You can check it out on GE when we add the map later today.
Chamiza Pausing in Colombia
Chamiza showed a limited migration yesterday. She only flew 46 km (30 miles) but was still moving along the base of the eastern slope of the Andes. She has now entered a different watershed that drains northeast into the Caribbean Sea, and not the Amazon. Her heading remains NE and should take her by the town of Villavicenzio if she continues on that line.
She is exhibiting the characteristic "equatorial pause" that we are also seeing with Elizabetha, only with Chamiza, it has started further to the south.
I am wondering if she has followed this route before and, if so, how many times? It seems to me that a direct crossing of the Caribbean from Venezuela or Colombia would be very hazardous for a peregrine. Certainly, she can fly that distance but the margin for error is small.
If she continues on her current course, she will be confronted with this immense water barrier. Is she going to radically alter her course (west to Panama, east to the Antilles) before that happens or will she go for it?
She is exhibiting the characteristic "equatorial pause" that we are also seeing with Elizabetha, only with Chamiza, it has started further to the south.
I am wondering if she has followed this route before and, if so, how many times? It seems to me that a direct crossing of the Caribbean from Venezuela or Colombia would be very hazardous for a peregrine. Certainly, she can fly that distance but the margin for error is small.
If she continues on her current course, she will be confronted with this immense water barrier. Is she going to radically alter her course (west to Panama, east to the Antilles) before that happens or will she go for it?
Elizabetha Pausing in Panama
Elizabetha is exhibiting the "equatorial pause" behavior that we witnessed last year. She remains on the Caribbean coast and flew only 30 km (28 miles) west yesterday.
Do some peregrines slow down in the equatorial region because of the climate (increased heat, humidity), super availability of prey (shorebirds, bats?), or could they be re-orienting their migratory headings to proceed west instead of north?
This is an interesting behavior that obviously needs more study.
Do some peregrines slow down in the equatorial region because of the climate (increased heat, humidity), super availability of prey (shorebirds, bats?), or could they be re-orienting their migratory headings to proceed west instead of north?
This is an interesting behavior that obviously needs more study.
Paco Meets His End On The Coast Of Chile
The satellite signals for Paco indicated that he had stopped on the Chilean coast just north of a town called Taltal on 2 May. Subsequent signals showed no progress over the following days. Based on the earlier "mini-staging" behavior by Fireball, we hypothesized that Paco was doing the same thing, i.e. stopping to rest and recharge during the migration.
After several days at this location, we became concerned about his welfare. Fortunately, Christian was able to send out some of his colleagues living in Taltal to drive the 30 km and try to see what happened to Paco.
They visited the site two days ago and found plucked peregrine feathers blowing across the desert. So Paco had unfortunately met his demise between the road and the sea.
We aren't certain what killed him as yet. His body was not located but they did discover a small pool of blood near the larger plucked feathers. This indicates that he was most likely plucked and eaten shortly after death, suggesting that a predator was the cause. If so, Christian states that the most probable suspect is the native fox, although it might just as likely involve a larger raptor, e.g. an owl or a buzzard-eagle.
It is also possible that he had sustained an injury of some sort and was unable to fly. His remains were found very near a road and so collisions certainly remain another possibility, just like Linda in Panama.
Another plausible explanation is that he was taken at night while roosting on or near the ground.
Christian's friends (and sorry that I do not have their names as yet) will be visiting the site again today. The transmitter has started to send signals once more and they are going to try to locate and retrieve it. Hopefully they will obtain more direct evidence about what happened to Paco.
We do know from his earlier signals that Paco regularly roosted on the ground at the Putu dune fields. If he continued this behavior in the Atacama, he was unintentionally putting himself at great risk.
After several days at this location, we became concerned about his welfare. Fortunately, Christian was able to send out some of his colleagues living in Taltal to drive the 30 km and try to see what happened to Paco.
They visited the site two days ago and found plucked peregrine feathers blowing across the desert. So Paco had unfortunately met his demise between the road and the sea.
We aren't certain what killed him as yet. His body was not located but they did discover a small pool of blood near the larger plucked feathers. This indicates that he was most likely plucked and eaten shortly after death, suggesting that a predator was the cause. If so, Christian states that the most probable suspect is the native fox, although it might just as likely involve a larger raptor, e.g. an owl or a buzzard-eagle.
It is also possible that he had sustained an injury of some sort and was unable to fly. His remains were found very near a road and so collisions certainly remain another possibility, just like Linda in Panama.
Another plausible explanation is that he was taken at night while roosting on or near the ground.
Christian's friends (and sorry that I do not have their names as yet) will be visiting the site again today. The transmitter has started to send signals once more and they are going to try to locate and retrieve it. Hopefully they will obtain more direct evidence about what happened to Paco.
We do know from his earlier signals that Paco regularly roosted on the ground at the Putu dune fields. If he continued this behavior in the Atacama, he was unintentionally putting himself at great risk.
08 May, 2008
Elizabetha Slows In Panama
Elizabetha is exhibited the "equatorial slowdown" that we saw among several birds last year. She only moved 30 km (18.7 miles) yesterday and stayed close to the Caribbean coastline. She is sort of inching her way to the west and roosted inland, not far from the village of Cocle de Norte.
This is day 26 of her migration. So far, she has flown 5,608 km (3,485 miles).
This is day 26 of her migration. So far, she has flown 5,608 km (3,485 miles).
Chamiza At Another Crossroads
Chamiza is moving relatively slowly right now. Yesterday, she only covered 197 km (122 miles) and was still following the backside of the Andes Range in Colombia. By staying on this course, she has chosen to take the right fork in the Andes. The left fork heads towards Panama.
She was closing in on Bogota last night and might even pass over the city if she turns inland.
Most importantly, she is now trending NE, a major directional change at this point in her migration. If she continues on this heading, she may eventually arrive at Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.
North of her position last night, at the border between Colombia and Venezuela, the mountains fork once again. The left fork goes north to the lake and the right fork goes strongly northeast towards Caracas.
If Chamiza continues on either of these headings, then she is very likely to fly across the Gulf of Mexico. I think that this will be the first time that a peregrine with a GPS unit has been followed across the Gulf. If it happens, it should be pretty spectacular. Definitely stay tuned on this one!
She was closing in on Bogota last night and might even pass over the city if she turns inland.
Most importantly, she is now trending NE, a major directional change at this point in her migration. If she continues on this heading, she may eventually arrive at Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.
North of her position last night, at the border between Colombia and Venezuela, the mountains fork once again. The left fork goes north to the lake and the right fork goes strongly northeast towards Caracas.
If Chamiza continues on either of these headings, then she is very likely to fly across the Gulf of Mexico. I think that this will be the first time that a peregrine with a GPS unit has been followed across the Gulf. If it happens, it should be pretty spectacular. Definitely stay tuned on this one!
07 May, 2008
Sparrow King Now in Guatemala
Sparrow King left Nicaragua and appears to be following the Pacific coast range. He migrated across El Salvador and Guatemala, and, hypothetically connecting the dots, it looks like he went right along the mountains the entire way. He flew 526 km (327 miles) over the last two days.
He is poised to enter Mexico today near the main Tapachula border crossing. The mountains in this area are beautiful, surprisingly rugged and heavily forested.
From his current location, will he repeat his classic route from last year and move NW across the isthmus of Tehuantepec and on to the Gulf of Mexico? Or will he choose a new and different route north?
He is poised to enter Mexico today near the main Tapachula border crossing. The mountains in this area are beautiful, surprisingly rugged and heavily forested.
From his current location, will he repeat his classic route from last year and move NW across the isthmus of Tehuantepec and on to the Gulf of Mexico? Or will he choose a new and different route north?
Fireball Blasting Up The Coast of Peru
Fireball turned on the speed yesterday and zoomed up the coast of Peru. He covered a remarkable 580 km (360 miles) in a single day, his best day so far.
He eventually roosted on the coastline south of Lima.
We received an interesting signal from 0430 in the morning. It was only a Doppler 2 reading and therefore it could certainly be anomalous to an unknown degree. However, if true, he may have been flying (hunting?) in the dark about 9 km (6 miles) offshore. Tantalizing but unconfirmed.
On another note, we have received a credible report that individuals in Lima may be attempting to capture one of the satellite-tagged birds this spring. Hard to believe but we have decided that we should take the report seriously.
For this reason, we will apply a "blackout" on precise locations for this region to minimize the possibility of capture. Once a bird has passed through this area, the locations will be restored. So if you notice some missing data, you will understand why.
He eventually roosted on the coastline south of Lima.
We received an interesting signal from 0430 in the morning. It was only a Doppler 2 reading and therefore it could certainly be anomalous to an unknown degree. However, if true, he may have been flying (hunting?) in the dark about 9 km (6 miles) offshore. Tantalizing but unconfirmed.
On another note, we have received a credible report that individuals in Lima may be attempting to capture one of the satellite-tagged birds this spring. Hard to believe but we have decided that we should take the report seriously.
For this reason, we will apply a "blackout" on precise locations for this region to minimize the possibility of capture. Once a bird has passed through this area, the locations will be restored. So if you notice some missing data, you will understand why.
Chamiza in the Highlands of Colombia
On Tuesday, Chamiza continued flying to the north but did not go too far. She covered only 105 km (65 miles) before settling in for the night.
When she started out, she almost immediately passed out of the lowland Amazon jungles and moved into one of the higher elevation, fertile agricultural regions of Colombia. This area has been largely cleared and now supports a patchwork of farms, ranches and woodlots. Even though it is on the leeside of the Andes, it is a verdant area with no lack of rainfall. There is an extensive system of dirt roads with many buildings and houses sprinkled throughout the countryside.
Chamiza roosted within 413 meters (450 yards) of one of these houses in a small grove of trees.
When she started out, she almost immediately passed out of the lowland Amazon jungles and moved into one of the higher elevation, fertile agricultural regions of Colombia. This area has been largely cleared and now supports a patchwork of farms, ranches and woodlots. Even though it is on the leeside of the Andes, it is a verdant area with no lack of rainfall. There is an extensive system of dirt roads with many buildings and houses sprinkled throughout the countryside.
Chamiza roosted within 413 meters (450 yards) of one of these houses in a small grove of trees.
Elizabetha Arrives at The Caribbean Sea
Elizabetha flew WNW yesterday and arrived on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. She is the first of our migrants to do so this year. She did not travel far during the day, covering only 52 km (32 miles) and completing crossing the isthmus.
She eventually roosted in the tropical forest well back from the coastline and not far from the town of Miguel de la Borda.
She eventually roosted in the tropical forest well back from the coastline and not far from the town of Miguel de la Borda.
06 May, 2008
Fireball Heading Up The Coast Of Peru
Fireball ambled up the coast yesterday flying 183 km (114 miles) before putting in for the night in the Andean foothills. He flew inland to sleep in the arid hills about 15 km (9 miles) NW of a verdant agricultural valley on the Tambo River. No doubt there is lots of birdlife there, once again drawn by the abundance of water.
Fireball is inland from the coastal shorebird-rich areas of Mollendo and the Lagunas de Mejia.
Fireball is inland from the coastal shorebird-rich areas of Mollendo and the Lagunas de Mejia.
New Concerns About Paco
According to the satellite data, Paco has apparently not moved from his perching area on the coast of Chile for several days. This morning, we also received a mortality signal from his transmitter indicating that he had not moved for some time. But we have received false mortality signals in the past.
So, once again, we contacted team member Christian Gonzalez in Chile and explained our new concerns about the welfare of this falcon. Obviously, he shares those concerns. However, since Christian lives in Santiago, which is quite a long distance to the south, it is difficult for him to get to Paco's location quickly.
As an alternative, he is contacting some of his friends and colleagues from a town called Tal Tal that is just south of the transmitter. They are arranging to take a trip out to the area and will have a look around. If they find anything, they will let us all know.
After our false alarm about Fireball last week, we are all a little skeptical right now. But the signal from Paco has not moved for a much greater amount of time than Fireball.
If anything has happened to him, we must try our best to find out what occurred. Did he drop the transmitter? Is he simply staging and returning to the same perch each night over a remarkably extended period? And, of course, the question we all want to know....was he killed somehow?
To further confound the situation, today Don picked up another class 2 Doppler signal that, if true, indicates that Paco may have moved once again.
Tomorrow will bring more data and hopefully some more answers. Stay tuned....
So, once again, we contacted team member Christian Gonzalez in Chile and explained our new concerns about the welfare of this falcon. Obviously, he shares those concerns. However, since Christian lives in Santiago, which is quite a long distance to the south, it is difficult for him to get to Paco's location quickly.
As an alternative, he is contacting some of his friends and colleagues from a town called Tal Tal that is just south of the transmitter. They are arranging to take a trip out to the area and will have a look around. If they find anything, they will let us all know.
After our false alarm about Fireball last week, we are all a little skeptical right now. But the signal from Paco has not moved for a much greater amount of time than Fireball.
If anything has happened to him, we must try our best to find out what occurred. Did he drop the transmitter? Is he simply staging and returning to the same perch each night over a remarkably extended period? And, of course, the question we all want to know....was he killed somehow?
To further confound the situation, today Don picked up another class 2 Doppler signal that, if true, indicates that Paco may have moved once again.
Tomorrow will bring more data and hopefully some more answers. Stay tuned....
Elizabetha Passes By Panama City
Elizabetha is working her way through Panama and yesterday moved from the Darien to near Lake Gatun, west of Panama City. We can't tell from her signals exactly how she migrated through Panama. There aren't enough signals available. She may have flown along the coastline or she could just as easily have flown over the beautiful Pearl Islands out in the Pacific Ocean. The overwater distances are not that great. I recall seeing the Pearl Islands from Ancon Hill in Panama City last November. So it is a logical shortcut for a migrating peregrine. They can easily see across the gulf on a clear day.
Elizabetha traveled 236 km (147 miles), slightly above her average distance per day.
Last night, she roosted in an agricultural area west of the Panama Canal and only 14 miles from Gamboa, where I stayed at the house of Guido Berguido in the Canal Zone last November on my chase south. I will always be grateful for his hospitality. It was a great place with parrots, sloths, howler monkeys and a Bat Falcon down around the corner.
For those of you joining the FRG Panama tour in November, you will be passing near this area.
Elizabetha traveled 236 km (147 miles), slightly above her average distance per day.
Last night, she roosted in an agricultural area west of the Panama Canal and only 14 miles from Gamboa, where I stayed at the house of Guido Berguido in the Canal Zone last November on my chase south. I will always be grateful for his hospitality. It was a great place with parrots, sloths, howler monkeys and a Bat Falcon down around the corner.
For those of you joining the FRG Panama tour in November, you will be passing near this area.
Chamiza in Colombia
Chamiza bypassed Ecuador entirely and flew directly from Peru into Colombia on Monday. Once again, she was flying over the headwaters of the Amazon but now she must be within sight of the mountains to the west. She is generally heading north which should put her back into the Andes by Wednesday.
She covered 328 km (204 miles) on Monday, well above her average of 229 km (143 miles).
She found herself another major drainage system in the afternoon. She certainly likes to sleep near large rivers. She roosted on the edge of a forested island in the middle of this river, directly above the water. This is the Rio Caqueta, yet another tributary of the Amazon.
If you travel down this river via GE, you will eventually come to the Araracuara Canyon. There are two blue dot pictures there. Check out the cliffs. Looks like a perfect spot for Orange-breasted Falcons.
She covered 328 km (204 miles) on Monday, well above her average of 229 km (143 miles).
She found herself another major drainage system in the afternoon. She certainly likes to sleep near large rivers. She roosted on the edge of a forested island in the middle of this river, directly above the water. This is the Rio Caqueta, yet another tributary of the Amazon.
If you travel down this river via GE, you will eventually come to the Araracuara Canyon. There are two blue dot pictures there. Check out the cliffs. Looks like a perfect spot for Orange-breasted Falcons.
05 May, 2008
Sparrow King Now in Honduras!
There must be a trail of fire throughout Central America as Sparky burns his way north. No "equatorial pause" for him this year!
Over the last two days, he has flown at least 1,19 km (634 miles)! He now holds the lead among the three tagged males, averaging a minimum of 307 km (197 miles) per day on this migration, and over twice the average distance for Paco so far.
In two days, he has migrated all the way through Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Yesterday he was in Honduras, although very close to the Gulf of Fonseca and the border with El Salvador.
The length of time of his migration is different this year as he departed Antofagasta much later than in 2007. Of course, he may be making up for his later departure by migrating faster. But the most important date is when he arrives back at his eyrie on Baffin Island.
It is going to be interesting to compare both arrival dates and the number of days for each migration.
Over the last two days, he has flown at least 1,19 km (634 miles)! He now holds the lead among the three tagged males, averaging a minimum of 307 km (197 miles) per day on this migration, and over twice the average distance for Paco so far.
In two days, he has migrated all the way through Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Yesterday he was in Honduras, although very close to the Gulf of Fonseca and the border with El Salvador.
The length of time of his migration is different this year as he departed Antofagasta much later than in 2007. Of course, he may be making up for his later departure by migrating faster. But the most important date is when he arrives back at his eyrie on Baffin Island.
It is going to be interesting to compare both arrival dates and the number of days for each migration.
A Comment From Oscar Beingolea
Oscar Beingolea is an old friend from Lima, Peru. We met him many years ago when Tom Maechtle and I were working on peregrines in his country. He has been involved with raptors his entire life and is the leading expert on peregrines in Peru. As such, I always value his comments and insights about the birdlife in that area of the world.
He sent the following e-mail this morning and I thought that I would share it with our readers. I think that it is a small gem.
"This is just a commentary. The Vermillion Flycatcher is a bird of prey indicator, characteristically announcing with a mix of flight and song about the presence of a raptor, they are very good at "pointing" out flying peregrine falcons. During my whole experience with peregrines I always wondered why the Vermillion Flycatchers were still pretty active during late April, when most of the resident peregrines wintering in Lima were gone and almost no peregrine falcon is seen. The latest sightings I have ever recorded have been April 24 and 27 for two adult males wintering in Lima city. My first guess was that Vermilion Flycatchers went into some some sort of nervous stress and displaying, including announcing about the presence of non-existent raptors in the surroundings. The true answer may be found in the finding of these late migrants detected by satellite, perhaps they are fewer than in early April, often moving at a distance beyond the power of the human eyes but not for the eye power of a bird.
Regards,
Oscar"
Nice observation. Thank you Oscar.
He sent the following e-mail this morning and I thought that I would share it with our readers. I think that it is a small gem.
"This is just a commentary. The Vermillion Flycatcher is a bird of prey indicator, characteristically announcing with a mix of flight and song about the presence of a raptor, they are very good at "pointing" out flying peregrine falcons. During my whole experience with peregrines I always wondered why the Vermillion Flycatchers were still pretty active during late April, when most of the resident peregrines wintering in Lima were gone and almost no peregrine falcon is seen. The latest sightings I have ever recorded have been April 24 and 27 for two adult males wintering in Lima city. My first guess was that Vermilion Flycatchers went into some some sort of nervous stress and displaying, including announcing about the presence of non-existent raptors in the surroundings. The true answer may be found in the finding of these late migrants detected by satellite, perhaps they are fewer than in early April, often moving at a distance beyond the power of the human eyes but not for the eye power of a bird.
Regards,
Oscar"
Nice observation. Thank you Oscar.
Elizabetha In The Darien, Panama
Elizabetha kept following the "classic route" once again, flying up the coast of Colombia and then passing into the Darien region of Panama.
She flew 271 km (168 miles) over her day and roosted about 38 km (22 miles) inland. She should pass through Panama City today.
Many of our birds paused or hesitated in this area last year. We'll be able to compare their behaviors this year and see if they do this on a consisitent basis.
She flew 271 km (168 miles) over her day and roosted about 38 km (22 miles) inland. She should pass through Panama City today.
Many of our birds paused or hesitated in this area last year. We'll be able to compare their behaviors this year and see if they do this on a consisitent basis.
Fireball Reaches Peru
As expected, Fireball flew north up the coast, passed by Arica, and then turned the corner into Peru.
He flew 305 km (190 miles) through intense desert and eventually roosted on an extremely arid hillside about 5 km (3 miles) inland from the coast. He was near the coastal town of Los Banos.
If you want an example of arid, check out his roost site on Google Earth.
He flew 305 km (190 miles) through intense desert and eventually roosted on an extremely arid hillside about 5 km (3 miles) inland from the coast. He was near the coastal town of Los Banos.
If you want an example of arid, check out his roost site on Google Earth.
Paco Still Staging
Paco is still hanging out in the same area and showing no appreciable migratory movement. How long will he stay put? What is he doing? What is he eating? It would be great to know.
He is definitely taking his time.
He is definitely taking his time.
Chamiza Going Trans-Amazon
Chamiza took the center route yesterday and headed north across the headwaters of the Amazon. She was traveling fast and covered 409 km (254 miles) for the day. Last night, she was still in Peru but at a latitude equivalent to Guayaquil, Equador and about 267 km (166 miles) NW of Iquitos.
She roosted in dense rain forest, truly out in the middle of nowhere, at an elevation of 657'.
Today, she should be approaching the junction of the borders of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. To give you some idea of how remote she is from civilization (as you safely sit at home or work looking at your little glowing box), the border between Peru and Ecuador in this region is still amorphous. The two countries remain in disagreement about where it actually is.
We have not seen a tagged peregrine take this route before and are waiting to see what Chamiza will do in the next couple of days. Will she eventually go NW and migrate through Central America like the other tagged peregrines? Or will she do something different when she reaches the sea?
She roosted in dense rain forest, truly out in the middle of nowhere, at an elevation of 657'.
Today, she should be approaching the junction of the borders of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. To give you some idea of how remote she is from civilization (as you safely sit at home or work looking at your little glowing box), the border between Peru and Ecuador in this region is still amorphous. The two countries remain in disagreement about where it actually is.
We have not seen a tagged peregrine take this route before and are waiting to see what Chamiza will do in the next couple of days. Will she eventually go NW and migrate through Central America like the other tagged peregrines? Or will she do something different when she reaches the sea?
04 May, 2008
Fireball In The Heart Of The Atacama
Fireball is progressing up the Chilean coast and migrated 213 km (133 miles) further north yesterday. He is pulling away from Paco at this point and should be approaching the Peruvian border tomorrow.
I think that it is important to note that he has remained on the coast and is not trying to migrate along an inland route.
Last night, he roosted on a steep mountain flank above the coastline. He was within 2 km (about a mile) of the Pan-American Highway and a bit south of the port city of Patache.
The elevation of his roost was about 1,930'. GE shows fog in this area so he might have stayed high for the cooler temperatures flowing up the slope. Along this part of the coastline of Chile, there is this zone of fog that forms at the tops of these mountains. In some places, people have even erected large structures to collect the dew that forms there and store it in water tanks. That is how dry it is in this area.
There are several pictures on GE that impressively demonstrate just how arid it really is there. He is in the heart of the desert now. Fortunately, he is also on the coast where he will have access to prey.
I think that it is important to note that he has remained on the coast and is not trying to migrate along an inland route.
Last night, he roosted on a steep mountain flank above the coastline. He was within 2 km (about a mile) of the Pan-American Highway and a bit south of the port city of Patache.
The elevation of his roost was about 1,930'. GE shows fog in this area so he might have stayed high for the cooler temperatures flowing up the slope. Along this part of the coastline of Chile, there is this zone of fog that forms at the tops of these mountains. In some places, people have even erected large structures to collect the dew that forms there and store it in water tanks. That is how dry it is in this area.
There are several pictures on GE that impressively demonstrate just how arid it really is there. He is in the heart of the desert now. Fortunately, he is also on the coast where he will have access to prey.
Paco "Mini-staging"?
Paco seems to be doing the same thing that Fireball did a few days ago. He is remaining at the same place for several days. It would be great to know exactly what he is doing.
I would speculate that this behavior is a sort of "mini-staging". Staging is a common feature among migrating peregrines in the spring. It just means that a bird temporarily ceases to travel north, settles in at one area for a period of time and then begins migrating north again when it is ready.
Grainger Hunt, Brenda Johnson and Scott Ward discovered this behavior at Padre Island, Texas, in the early 1980's. They found that some adult females would stop off at the island and remain there for several days, sometimes weeks and in at least one case, over a month.
Last year, we identified another spring staging area north of Veracruz when Arena stopped off there for several days. Last fall, Linda did a fall staging at James Bay in Canada.
Staging is most likely an opportunity to rest and feed, putting on extra weight for the trip north. Still, it would be really nice to be able to observe Paco and to see exactly what he is doing along this dry coastal desert in northern Chile.
I would speculate that this behavior is a sort of "mini-staging". Staging is a common feature among migrating peregrines in the spring. It just means that a bird temporarily ceases to travel north, settles in at one area for a period of time and then begins migrating north again when it is ready.
Grainger Hunt, Brenda Johnson and Scott Ward discovered this behavior at Padre Island, Texas, in the early 1980's. They found that some adult females would stop off at the island and remain there for several days, sometimes weeks and in at least one case, over a month.
Last year, we identified another spring staging area north of Veracruz when Arena stopped off there for several days. Last fall, Linda did a fall staging at James Bay in Canada.
Staging is most likely an opportunity to rest and feed, putting on extra weight for the trip north. Still, it would be really nice to be able to observe Paco and to see exactly what he is doing along this dry coastal desert in northern Chile.
Elizabetha Migrating Along The Colombian Coast
Elizabetha continued up the Pacific coast yesterday, still following the classic route north. She migrated 216 km (134 miles) and eventually roosted on a major peninsula called Cabo Corriente. The north end is apprently named Punta Arusi for a small river that enters the ocean just to the east.
There are lots of GE photos showing a dense tropical forest, palm trees, and a steep hillside. But there is also a small mudflat here at the mouth of the river. Could be some shorebirds there. Apparently, there are also several small "hotels" here and at least one kayak concession so access to the coast is possible.
Elizabetha is now about 190 km (120 miles) from Panama. She will most likely reach the southern border of that country later today.
Karl, Rosabel, Guido and Beni.....are you guys watching this?
There are lots of GE photos showing a dense tropical forest, palm trees, and a steep hillside. But there is also a small mudflat here at the mouth of the river. Could be some shorebirds there. Apparently, there are also several small "hotels" here and at least one kayak concession so access to the coast is possible.
Elizabetha is now about 190 km (120 miles) from Panama. She will most likely reach the southern border of that country later today.
Karl, Rosabel, Guido and Beni.....are you guys watching this?
Chamiza Still Following the Ucayali River
Chamiza flew over alot of jungle yesterday and continued to follow the same river through the Amazon basin. She migrated 464 km (288 miles) for the day, over twice her average of 216 km (134 miles).
At this point, the Ucayali turns to the NE and will eventually become the Amazon near the city of Iquitos. If Chamiza continues to follow her same general heading, she will have to leave the river and traverse some solid, unbroken tropical rain forest. If that happens, then she will be forced to hunt over the canopy.
If she follows the river instead, then she will change her heading to the northeast. So this is another major turning point for her. The direction she is taking today will likely indicate whether she takes the classic Central American route or whether she opts for a Caribbean traverse.
Once again, she roosted within the forest last night, fairly near the river, but on a smaller ox bow lake. Her elevation was just 417 feet. What an enormous contrast between this location and her roosts at 13,000 in the cold, high altiplano just a few days ago.
At this point, the Ucayali turns to the NE and will eventually become the Amazon near the city of Iquitos. If Chamiza continues to follow her same general heading, she will have to leave the river and traverse some solid, unbroken tropical rain forest. If that happens, then she will be forced to hunt over the canopy.
If she follows the river instead, then she will change her heading to the northeast. So this is another major turning point for her. The direction she is taking today will likely indicate whether she takes the classic Central American route or whether she opts for a Caribbean traverse.
Once again, she roosted within the forest last night, fairly near the river, but on a smaller ox bow lake. Her elevation was just 417 feet. What an enormous contrast between this location and her roosts at 13,000 in the cold, high altiplano just a few days ago.
03 May, 2008
Elizabetha Enters Colombia
Elizabetha is confirming the importance of the trans-coastal peregrine migration route in Colombia. Several of our tagged birds have now followed this line on their way out of South America. It looks like a really intriguing area with it tropical forests fronting the seacoast. I can see several long beaches on GE that would be natural for banding migrants. However, we have been told that it would most likely be a dangerous area for us to work. Is this true, Colombians? Any of you reading this? Looks like a really great research area to me. I'd like to hear from anyone that has worked the area in the past and get a reality check on this area.
I am also seeing huge areas of mudflats or sandflats along this coast and thinking that it must be a shorebird heaven.
Elizabetha flew a good distance yesterday, migrating 251 km (156 miles) up the coast from Ecuador and then roosting in the jungle near a dynamite-looking beach. Looks really, truly tropical.
I am also seeing huge areas of mudflats or sandflats along this coast and thinking that it must be a shorebird heaven.
Elizabetha flew a good distance yesterday, migrating 251 km (156 miles) up the coast from Ecuador and then roosting in the jungle near a dynamite-looking beach. Looks really, truly tropical.
Paco Stays Put
Paco remained in the exact same area as yesterday. He is apparently resting or adding fuel for the migration. Could be a great hunting area with an abundance of food or lots of good hunting opportunities. Then again, it could be something else entirely. Since we are not along for the trip, we can only speculate and make educated guesses about what is happening with him.
However, since we saw this same behavior with Fireball a couple of days ago, we no longer consider such delays as being particularly unusual.
However, since we saw this same behavior with Fireball a couple of days ago, we no longer consider such delays as being particularly unusual.
Fireball Moves past Antofagasta and the Tropic of Capricorn
Fireball moved north again yesterday crossing 183 km (114 miles) of desert. It looks like he started and ended well away from the coast, eventually roosting about 33 km (20 miles) inland. To see the habitat, check out that blue dot near where he slept. You can gain a good understanding of what it looks like in the Atacama.
Despite the signals, he must have flown through or near Antofagasta, a really beautiful coastal town with lots going on. We all fell in love with this place during the time we spent there. As a port, there is lots of shipping activity and I am assuming that has something to do with the huge numbers of Rock Pigeons and all sorts of passerines that you see there. The flocks are enormous and, of course, support a good number of peregrines, both resident and migrant.
Fireball may have dropped down into town to hunt or he may have visited some of the mining facilities located along the highways outside of Antofagasta. Lots of birdlife there too.
By the afternoon, he had crossed over the Tropic of Capricorn, somewhere north of Antofagasta, and headed up into the desert to sleep. Looks like he picked a rocky ridge above some dry drainages.
Despite the signals, he must have flown through or near Antofagasta, a really beautiful coastal town with lots going on. We all fell in love with this place during the time we spent there. As a port, there is lots of shipping activity and I am assuming that has something to do with the huge numbers of Rock Pigeons and all sorts of passerines that you see there. The flocks are enormous and, of course, support a good number of peregrines, both resident and migrant.
Fireball may have dropped down into town to hunt or he may have visited some of the mining facilities located along the highways outside of Antofagasta. Lots of birdlife there too.
By the afternoon, he had crossed over the Tropic of Capricorn, somewhere north of Antofagasta, and headed up into the desert to sleep. Looks like he picked a rocky ridge above some dry drainages.
Chamiza Crossing The Upper Amazon Basin
Don McCall wrote the following excellent summary of Chamiza's movements yesterday. I thought I would pass it along in its entirety.
"Chamiza continued to follow her river through the Amazon Basin yesterday; her distance for the day was only 82 km (51 mi) but that is based upon a straight path between her night roost (early Thursday morning) and her second daily fix early Thursday evening; I'm guessing that she actually stayed close to the river (which flows in a wide arc in that vicinity) during the day and covered more distance than indicated. We must remember that all we know are the birds' occasional position fixes (one or two each day) and the straight lines that are drawn between their points on the maps are only computerized guesses. What would be REALLY interesting, if we collect enough data for an individual bird over several seasons, would be to plot only their known points for several migration tracks and leave off the somewhat misleading lines."
Thanks Don.
I find it interesting that, although she continues to move through the Amazon basin, she is still sort of paralleling the geography of the Andes and staying relatively high up in the watershed. Her path is following the "classis curve" instead of taking a straight course north or even northeast to Venezuela.
Watching Chamiza's progress, I have to ask the following question. Are the major rivers in the Amazon Basin more important to migrant peregrines than we have previously recognized?
Notice too that the river she is following is the major drainage for a huge part of the Peruvian Andes. It is extraordinarily complex in this area with an enormous number of oxbows and lots of "beach" areas.
As before, Chamiza roosted in trees in very close proximity to the river.
"Chamiza continued to follow her river through the Amazon Basin yesterday; her distance for the day was only 82 km (51 mi) but that is based upon a straight path between her night roost (early Thursday morning) and her second daily fix early Thursday evening; I'm guessing that she actually stayed close to the river (which flows in a wide arc in that vicinity) during the day and covered more distance than indicated. We must remember that all we know are the birds' occasional position fixes (one or two each day) and the straight lines that are drawn between their points on the maps are only computerized guesses. What would be REALLY interesting, if we collect enough data for an individual bird over several seasons, would be to plot only their known points for several migration tracks and leave off the somewhat misleading lines."
Thanks Don.
I find it interesting that, although she continues to move through the Amazon basin, she is still sort of paralleling the geography of the Andes and staying relatively high up in the watershed. Her path is following the "classis curve" instead of taking a straight course north or even northeast to Venezuela.
Watching Chamiza's progress, I have to ask the following question. Are the major rivers in the Amazon Basin more important to migrant peregrines than we have previously recognized?
Notice too that the river she is following is the major drainage for a huge part of the Peruvian Andes. It is extraordinarily complex in this area with an enormous number of oxbows and lots of "beach" areas.
As before, Chamiza roosted in trees in very close proximity to the river.
02 May, 2008
Unlike Fireball, Paco Remains on the Coast
The two adult males are continuing to show a similar migration pattern. Kind of remarkable really.
Paco may have had enough of the arid interior of the Atacama; the dust, the heat and the lack of food. At any rate, yesterday he continued to stay near the coastline and moved 174 km (108 miles) to the north.
It looks like he may have slept on the ground last night, right out in the open, although the GPS signal can vary in accuracy 20 meters or more. The signal location looked to be situated at the bottom of a slight slope fairly close to the beach and, coincidentally. not far from a road the team drove last year.
We know that he has roosted directly on the ground back at the Putu dune fields. His signals have shown that many times, so apparently it is not too unusual for him to do so on migration too. Seems dangerous to me.
He should arrive at or near to Antofagasta tomorrow.
Paco may have had enough of the arid interior of the Atacama; the dust, the heat and the lack of food. At any rate, yesterday he continued to stay near the coastline and moved 174 km (108 miles) to the north.
It looks like he may have slept on the ground last night, right out in the open, although the GPS signal can vary in accuracy 20 meters or more. The signal location looked to be situated at the bottom of a slight slope fairly close to the beach and, coincidentally. not far from a road the team drove last year.
We know that he has roosted directly on the ground back at the Putu dune fields. His signals have shown that many times, so apparently it is not too unusual for him to do so on migration too. Seems dangerous to me.
He should arrive at or near to Antofagasta tomorrow.
Fireball Heads Inland
In a sort of role reversal with Paco, Fireball left the coast and moved inland into the extreme desert of the Atacama. He roosted about 44 km (27 miles) east of the shoreline, almost within view of the Pan-American Highway. He covered 223 km (138 miles) for the day and is closing in on the Antofagasta region.
Hard to say, but it looks like he perched on a rock atop a hill.
Hard to say, but it looks like he perched on a rock atop a hill.
Chamiza Moving Across The Amazon
Chamiza is deep in the Amazonian rainforest now. She continues to travel a route parallel to the Andes but well out into the jungle. Like yesterday, she is roosting on a large river, the Rio Ucayali, perhaps to bathe and drink or possibly to hunt the open areas along the riverbanks. This is one of the main tributaries of the Amazon.
She is the first of our birds to travel through the basin and so we are learning with her as she goes. She flew 184 km (114 miles) yesterday, a little less than her average per day.
She is the first of our birds to travel through the basin and so we are learning with her as she goes. She flew 184 km (114 miles) yesterday, a little less than her average per day.
Elizabetha Crosses the Equator
Elizabetha has now crossed the Equator and reached the Pacific coast near the Isla De La Tola. She is about 36 km (22 miles) south of the Colombian border.
Yesterday, she flew 174 km (108 miles) north through the lowlands before arriving at a large estuary with more shrimp farms. She seems to have roosted at sea level within a forest not far from the river.
Yesterday, she flew 174 km (108 miles) north through the lowlands before arriving at a large estuary with more shrimp farms. She seems to have roosted at sea level within a forest not far from the river.
Sparrow King Now in Panama
Our latest signal from Sparrow King shows that he successfully traversed Colombia and is now moving along the Pacific coast towards Panama City. He is definitely moving right along and covered 400 km (249 miles) over the last two days. He is the first of our satellite-tagged falcons to enter Central America this season and still seems to be following the classic route. SO far, no detours over to the Caribbean like last year.
01 May, 2008
Paco Heads For the Coast
As expected, Paco did a route change, redirecting his flight away from the barren lands of the interior Atacama Desert and out to the bird-rich areas along the Pacific shoreline. He flew 173 km (108 miles) and veered straight to the north.
Like Fireball, who roosted just down the coast from him, Paco slept on an arid hillside overlooking the ocean. He was less than a kilometer from the Pan-Am Highway.
Like Fireball, who roosted just down the coast from him, Paco slept on an arid hillside overlooking the ocean. He was less than a kilometer from the Pan-Am Highway.
Fireball on the Move Again!
Well, Fireball surpised us all and, after a several day pause, continued to fly north again yesterday. So I am delighted to report that he seems to be doing just fine and that our concerns were unfounded.
In fact, he flew 536 km (334 miles) north in a single day, a pretty remarkable distance. It appears from the signals that he most likely followed the coastline. If so, he would have passed through the cities of Coquimbo, La Serena and Caldera before putting in for the night. This is his longest distance thus far and he has now flown well up into the Atacama Desert.
And another amazing thing took place last night. Fireball caught up with Paco, who was well ahead of him earlier, and they both roosted along the coast within about 4 km (2.5 miles) of each other. Pretty interesting coincidence. And recall that they both started the migration from nearly the same location and on the same day.
Did they see each other last night? If they did, are peregrines able to recognize each other somehow? Tantalizing thought. At any rate, they are now moving along the same route and are very close together.
We want to extend a special thanks to Christian Gonzalez (and Felipe) for making the effort to check on Fireball for us all. We deeply appreciate the concern and the dedication. Thanks guys!
NOTE: I just received an e-mail from Christian with these comments regarding the Fireball location that he just visited.
He writes....
"The place is just like a huge Padre Island big trap for birds, they have nowhere to go when hunted by a peregrine...plenty of seedsnipes, miners, finches, dotterels, Baird Sandpipers and more...The best place for a stopover for a peregrine in migration. I collected two castings from one of the spots where the night roost marked. Good trip anyway."
In fact, he flew 536 km (334 miles) north in a single day, a pretty remarkable distance. It appears from the signals that he most likely followed the coastline. If so, he would have passed through the cities of Coquimbo, La Serena and Caldera before putting in for the night. This is his longest distance thus far and he has now flown well up into the Atacama Desert.
And another amazing thing took place last night. Fireball caught up with Paco, who was well ahead of him earlier, and they both roosted along the coast within about 4 km (2.5 miles) of each other. Pretty interesting coincidence. And recall that they both started the migration from nearly the same location and on the same day.
Did they see each other last night? If they did, are peregrines able to recognize each other somehow? Tantalizing thought. At any rate, they are now moving along the same route and are very close together.
We want to extend a special thanks to Christian Gonzalez (and Felipe) for making the effort to check on Fireball for us all. We deeply appreciate the concern and the dedication. Thanks guys!
NOTE: I just received an e-mail from Christian with these comments regarding the Fireball location that he just visited.
He writes....
"The place is just like a huge Padre Island big trap for birds, they have nowhere to go when hunted by a peregrine...plenty of seedsnipes, miners, finches, dotterels, Baird Sandpipers and more...The best place for a stopover for a peregrine in migration. I collected two castings from one of the spots where the night roost marked. Good trip anyway."
Elizabetha Crossing Ecuador
Elizabetha passed through Guayaquil and continued her way north up the central lowland valley of Ecuador.
She stopped to sleep in a flat agricultural area about 2.7 km (1.4 miles) north of highway 40, the primary coastal route to Manta. She is about 33 km (20 miles) west of Quevedo.
She stopped to sleep in a flat agricultural area about 2.7 km (1.4 miles) north of highway 40, the primary coastal route to Manta. She is about 33 km (20 miles) west of Quevedo.
Chamiza Starts Into the Amazon
Chamiza continued north into the Amazon basin yesterday. She covered 103 km (64 miles) but more importantly, she altered her course away from the Andes Mountains. She moved down in elevation from 12,046 feet to 1,800 feet, a huge drop of over 10,000 feet in a single day.
So yesterday, she must have experienced some fairly extreme temperature and humidity changes.
Last night, she roosted on a densely forested hillside above a tributary of the Madre De Dios River. This river forms part of the Amazon watershed.
Will she continue to travel north across this immense jungle or return to the high mountains? Is this an indicator that she will fly north along the Antilles towards Florida?
So yesterday, she must have experienced some fairly extreme temperature and humidity changes.
Last night, she roosted on a densely forested hillside above a tributary of the Madre De Dios River. This river forms part of the Amazon watershed.
Will she continue to travel north across this immense jungle or return to the high mountains? Is this an indicator that she will fly north along the Antilles towards Florida?
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