After spending several days in extreme southern Florida, Elizabetha made the crossing to Cuba on Tuesday. She appears to have roosted in a forested area near the western tip of that country. She had flown 492 km (306 miles) since leaving the Keys.
Yesterday, she continued on the classic ocean crossing route and made it into Central America. The shortest distance between Cuba and the Yucatan at this point is about 194 km (120 miles). She covered 591 km (367 miles) for the day and is seriously migrating now.
Last night, she roosted on a small islet in the Turneffe Island group in Belize. This is very similar to Sparrow King's route and only about 48 km (30 miles) from where we had our last signal from Chamiza last spring.
As Don notes...
" Although not indicated on the map, she probably made landfall near Cancun before proceeding down the southern coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula."
Since we receive only two signals per day from this bird, we can't know her exact route but Don makes a good assumption.
30 October, 2008
Sparrow King Near Guayaquil, Ecuador
At last signal (28 October), Sparrow King had continued south and was flying down the central valley of the Guayas River. He covered 276 km (172 miles)was only about 20 km north of Guayaquil. He crossed over the equator and is back in the southern hemisphere once again.
27 October, 2008
Sparky Makes Ecuador
McCall writes...
"We've just begun to receive the latest signals for Sparrow King. He is now in northwest Ecuador, about 75 km (47 mi) from the Pacific Coast. His indicated distance since the last signals over the Pacific Ocean is 649 km (403 mi), but that doesn't account for the likelihood that he first made landfall in Colombia and then proceeded down the coast -- the plotted lines (and distances) assume straight-line travel between the known location fixes."
So he is going hard for Antofagasta!
Peru next......
"We've just begun to receive the latest signals for Sparrow King. He is now in northwest Ecuador, about 75 km (47 mi) from the Pacific Coast. His indicated distance since the last signals over the Pacific Ocean is 649 km (403 mi), but that doesn't account for the likelihood that he first made landfall in Colombia and then proceeded down the coast -- the plotted lines (and distances) assume straight-line travel between the known location fixes."
So he is going hard for Antofagasta!
Peru next......
Elizabetha Still Messing About In Florida
After roosting on the Marquesas Keys, Elizabetha headed back east and spent the night on Woman Key, one of the southernmost islands in the archipelago.
The next day, she made her bid for Cuba, but after flying south for 71 km (44 miles) over the ocean, she decided to return to Florida. Don suggests the weather may have had something to do with that.
She arrived in the town of Key West and roosted right at the southwest end of the city in Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Looks like she slept right at the northern edge of the forested point of the Park, overlooking the Fort. Lots of photos on Google Earth, including some of the "Southernmost Point in the Continental US" marker.
Very cool.
The next day, she made her bid for Cuba, but after flying south for 71 km (44 miles) over the ocean, she decided to return to Florida. Don suggests the weather may have had something to do with that.
She arrived in the town of Key West and roosted right at the southwest end of the city in Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Looks like she slept right at the northern edge of the forested point of the Park, overlooking the Fort. Lots of photos on Google Earth, including some of the "Southernmost Point in the Continental US" marker.
Very cool.
25 October, 2008
Elizabetha Arrives on Same Island as Sparrow King
We are seeing some similarities between Elizabetha and another adult female peregrine, Linda, from last year. Both birds left their northern ranges fairly late in the fall migration season and "dawdled" a bit in the Arctic on their way south. Both sort of "took their time". Neither seemed to be in much of a rush to get back to Chile.
This is shown clearly this year by Elizabetha who flew only 21 km (13 miles) yesterday, arriving on the Marquesas Keys, the exact same group of islands where Sparrow King roosted on 13 October, 12 days ago. Their roost sites were about a kilometer apart.
As one of the last islands in the Keys, this location is a natural stopping point for falcons following this classic route.
It could be argued that she is resting up after her record-breaking flight a few days ago or that she is simply adjusting to the intense, sub-tropical heat of Florida.
At any rate, she appears to be pausing before making the jump to Cuba and points south.
This is shown clearly this year by Elizabetha who flew only 21 km (13 miles) yesterday, arriving on the Marquesas Keys, the exact same group of islands where Sparrow King roosted on 13 October, 12 days ago. Their roost sites were about a kilometer apart.
As one of the last islands in the Keys, this location is a natural stopping point for falcons following this classic route.
It could be argued that she is resting up after her record-breaking flight a few days ago or that she is simply adjusting to the intense, sub-tropical heat of Florida.
At any rate, she appears to be pausing before making the jump to Cuba and points south.
24 October, 2008
Sparrow King
Don McCall writes....
"Sparrow King is pulling a bit of a surprise today. Rather than follow the usual route through Panama (or over the Gulf of Panama) to get from Central America to South America, he has apparently headed directly southeast over the Pacific Ocean from Costa Rica, headed directly for the west coast of Colombia. As of about an hour and a half ago, he had flown 470 km (292 mi) and had approximately 325 km (200 miles) farther to go to reach land."
Looking at his route, he seems to have flown parallel to the coastline of Costa Rica, eventually entering into Panama offshore of the mainland at the border peninsula (Punta Burica) of the two countries. His line continues down this track passing through the Gulf of Chiriqui. He probably kept within sight of land for this leg of his trip.
He eventually flew by the famous National Park on Isla de Coiba and Isla Jicaron offshore of the Peninsula de las Palmas.
From there, he continued on a SE bearing heading out over the open ocean, apparently en route to Colombia as Don has pointed out.
He passed by the Peninsula de Azuero region where our adult female peregrine, Linda, was hit by a vehicle last year.
At last signal, he was 103 km (64 miles) offshore still heading to the SE. This route is very direct and saves much time and distance by avoiding the mainland pathway through Panama City and the Canal Zone area.
"Sparrow King is pulling a bit of a surprise today. Rather than follow the usual route through Panama (or over the Gulf of Panama) to get from Central America to South America, he has apparently headed directly southeast over the Pacific Ocean from Costa Rica, headed directly for the west coast of Colombia. As of about an hour and a half ago, he had flown 470 km (292 mi) and had approximately 325 km (200 miles) farther to go to reach land."
Looking at his route, he seems to have flown parallel to the coastline of Costa Rica, eventually entering into Panama offshore of the mainland at the border peninsula (Punta Burica) of the two countries. His line continues down this track passing through the Gulf of Chiriqui. He probably kept within sight of land for this leg of his trip.
He eventually flew by the famous National Park on Isla de Coiba and Isla Jicaron offshore of the Peninsula de las Palmas.
From there, he continued on a SE bearing heading out over the open ocean, apparently en route to Colombia as Don has pointed out.
He passed by the Peninsula de Azuero region where our adult female peregrine, Linda, was hit by a vehicle last year.
At last signal, he was 103 km (64 miles) offshore still heading to the SE. This route is very direct and saves much time and distance by avoiding the mainland pathway through Panama City and the Canal Zone area.
Another Night in the Keys for Elizabetha
Elizabetha is taking her time passing through the Florida Keys. Yesterday she flew only 47 km (29 miles) passing over the town of Key West and settling in on a small isolated island called Man Key about 11 km (7 miles) west of town. Looks like a continuous stand of Red Mangrove forest on this island.
Sparrow King had roosted earlier on the Marquesas Keys 18.8 km (11.6 miles) to the west of her roost last night. Seems like peregrines like to hold up in this area before making the jump over to Cuba.
Sparrow King had roosted earlier on the Marquesas Keys 18.8 km (11.6 miles) to the west of her roost last night. Seems like peregrines like to hold up in this area before making the jump over to Cuba.
23 October, 2008
Elizabetha Remains in the Florida Keys
Elizabetha flew just 10 km (6 miles) yesterday. She roosted on another isolated key, Key Lois, located about 3 km (1.6 miles) offshore from the main islands. It is about 1.7 km (one mile) long and uninhabited. Famously known as "Monkey Island", this key was the home to a captive research colony of Rhesus Monkeys until the late 1990's.
She is about 40 km (25 miles) from Key West and the jump to Cuba.
She is about 40 km (25 miles) from Key West and the jump to Cuba.
22 October, 2008
Elizabetha Following the Florida Keys Route
Elizabetha continued on her way south by following the natural leading line through the Florida Keys. She passed over (or close to) the Curry Hammock Grassy Key count site founded several years ago by Casey Lott.
She roosted last night on a small forested key called Cook Island about 1,100 meters (1,200 yards) west of the end of Long Beach Drive. There is no road or bridge to this island. She was not far from the main highway going to Key West and was approximately 45 km (28 miles)west of the count site.
She roosted last night on a small forested key called Cook Island about 1,100 meters (1,200 yards) west of the end of Long Beach Drive. There is no road or bridge to this island. She was not far from the main highway going to Key West and was approximately 45 km (28 miles)west of the count site.
Sparky Roosts on Pacific Island off Costa Rican Coast
Sparrow King continued to fly SE across Nicaragua yesterday and likely passed over Lake Nicaragua on his way to Costa Rica. He has now crossed over to the Pacific Ocean side of Central America. So his preference for the west coast path to South America has already become apparent at this point.
Sparky has flown 516 km (321 mi) over the past two days. He roosted last night on a small, relatively flat offshore island about 16 km (10 miles) from the mainland. It is called Isla Del Cano, a Costa Rican National Park famous for its reefs, sea life and pre-Columbian stone spheres.
Sparky has flown 516 km (321 mi) over the past two days. He roosted last night on a small, relatively flat offshore island about 16 km (10 miles) from the mainland. It is called Isla Del Cano, a Costa Rican National Park famous for its reefs, sea life and pre-Columbian stone spheres.
21 October, 2008
Elizabetha Taking a Break
After her extraordinary, hurricane Omar-fueled 954 mile flight, Elizabetha took a day off and flew 93 km (58 miles)south to Palm Beach, Florida. She put in for the night just south (basically across the street) of the Palm Beach International Airport.
It looked like she might roost on a small forested island in the lagoon between the mainland and a barrier island, but then she flew inland to the west across hundreds of homes, cars, trucks and the I-95 freeway before selecting a site in a small grove of trees pretty much surrounded by parking lots in a industrialzed area between two major highways.
Hmmmmmmm.....well, OK, we keep on learning here. Not exactly the unspoiled Arctic but it will do, apparently.
It looked like she might roost on a small forested island in the lagoon between the mainland and a barrier island, but then she flew inland to the west across hundreds of homes, cars, trucks and the I-95 freeway before selecting a site in a small grove of trees pretty much surrounded by parking lots in a industrialzed area between two major highways.
Hmmmmmmm.....well, OK, we keep on learning here. Not exactly the unspoiled Arctic but it will do, apparently.
20 October, 2008
Sparrow King in Nicaragua
Sparrow King continued his migration through Central America over the last two days. He flew south out of Belize and traversed across the forested uplands of Honduras. Looks like he may have passed close to the capitol city of Tegucigalpa. I followed much the same route last year. The country is verdant, heavily forested and mountainous along this route.
He then entered into Nicaragua, passing through the drier scrublands of the highland country. He roosted in the hills above the main highway near the town of Ciudad Dario in the subtropical Valle de Sebaco. I passed along this same road last year and was within 5 miles of his roost site. Looks like he may have slept in a tree in a small side valley. Lots of apparent cattle tracks in the adjacent pastures.
In the past two days he's flown 556 km (346 mi)and slept about 75 km north of Managua.
I expect that he will be passing by Lake Nicaragua today.
He then entered into Nicaragua, passing through the drier scrublands of the highland country. He roosted in the hills above the main highway near the town of Ciudad Dario in the subtropical Valle de Sebaco. I passed along this same road last year and was within 5 miles of his roost site. Looks like he may have slept in a tree in a small side valley. Lots of apparent cattle tracks in the adjacent pastures.
In the past two days he's flown 556 km (346 mi)and slept about 75 km north of Managua.
I expect that he will be passing by Lake Nicaragua today.
Elizabetha Sets a New World Record
Yesterday, Elizabetha flew from the New Jersey coast to Florida, a distance of 954 miles. To our knowledge, this is a new world record for distance flown by a migrant peregrine in a single day.
Don McCall writes
"This is almost unbelievable. Between yesterday morning's GPS signal at 0500Z and this morning's signal at 0600Z (more about the 1-hour time shift below), Elizabetha has flown an astounding 1535 km (954 mi). Assisted by a strong tailwind, she has covered 2,279 km (1,416 mi) in 49 hours, and is now in Florida about midway between Orlando and Miami. So much for spotting her enroute.
Of course I wondered if there was an error in the data so it's been checked and double-checked. There is a confirming Doppler signal (entirely different technology and different calculations from GPS) at 0703Z that exactly matches her GPS position at 0600Z, so there's no mistake. In an attempt to understand how this distance was achievable, I accessed the current winds analysis chart (used by pilots all over the country) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aviation Center -- a copy is attached. The one that I downloaded was for surface winds at 0800Z but that would give a fair indication of the wind conditions for most of the time that Elizabetha was flying. This wind chart combines current observations around the country with the most sophisticated weather models to predict the current wind speeds and directions at various altitudes (including locations offshore where there are no reporting stations). All the arrows on the chart depict the wind direction at each location, and the number of tufts in the tailfeathers depicts the speed; e.g., 2 large hashes and a small one indicates 25 knots, or about 29 mph (46 kph). Also, a legend at the bottom of the chart shows the range of wind velocities according to map color.
What's obvious from this chart is that Elizabetha has been getting quite a ride on her journey down the eastern seacoast for the past couple of days. A low pressure area just off the coast (with counterclockwise rotation) has generated strong northerly winds (FROM the north) to the west of the low pressure area, and along Elizabetha's route. Assuming that the low pressure area is moving eastward and that Elizabetha was even closer to the center for the past day or two than her current location would indicate, it's reasonable to surmise that she's had tailwinds of at least 15-20 knots (perhaps 25-30 knots) for all or most of the past two days (1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.15 miles per hour). So, for a quick reality check, here's a fictitious example: if she's airborne for 15 hours with a normal flying speed of 40 mph, and is boosted by a 20 knot (23 mph) tailwind, she would cover 945 miles. So, it could happen. Also, note that the winds at Elizabetha's flying altitude (800 meters is not unusual) would be somewhat higher than the surface winds shown on the chart. It's also interesting to note that the northerly wind direction down the east coast, then veering to the northeast approaching Florida, closely approximates Elizabetha's known track. We'll never know when or where she made landfall between Maine and Florida, but with those winds she certainly had plenty of time to rest or hunt along the way and still cover the known distance.
Regarding that 1-hour time shift in the GPS reporting times -- the Argos system does this automatically to account for changes in longitude, so that the reporting times stay approximately the same in LOCAL time. On today's updated map, there are GPS fixes for 19 Oct at 2100Z and again at 2200z, indicating that one of these time shifts has occurred. Our overnight signal for Elizabetha is now at 0600Z instead of 0500Z."
Thanks for the detailed report Don. This remarkable flight deserves it. I suspect that this will be a benchmark for some time to come.
Don McCall writes
"This is almost unbelievable. Between yesterday morning's GPS signal at 0500Z and this morning's signal at 0600Z (more about the 1-hour time shift below), Elizabetha has flown an astounding 1535 km (954 mi). Assisted by a strong tailwind, she has covered 2,279 km (1,416 mi) in 49 hours, and is now in Florida about midway between Orlando and Miami. So much for spotting her enroute.
Of course I wondered if there was an error in the data so it's been checked and double-checked. There is a confirming Doppler signal (entirely different technology and different calculations from GPS) at 0703Z that exactly matches her GPS position at 0600Z, so there's no mistake. In an attempt to understand how this distance was achievable, I accessed the current winds analysis chart (used by pilots all over the country) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aviation Center -- a copy is attached. The one that I downloaded was for surface winds at 0800Z but that would give a fair indication of the wind conditions for most of the time that Elizabetha was flying. This wind chart combines current observations around the country with the most sophisticated weather models to predict the current wind speeds and directions at various altitudes (including locations offshore where there are no reporting stations). All the arrows on the chart depict the wind direction at each location, and the number of tufts in the tailfeathers depicts the speed; e.g., 2 large hashes and a small one indicates 25 knots, or about 29 mph (46 kph). Also, a legend at the bottom of the chart shows the range of wind velocities according to map color.
What's obvious from this chart is that Elizabetha has been getting quite a ride on her journey down the eastern seacoast for the past couple of days. A low pressure area just off the coast (with counterclockwise rotation) has generated strong northerly winds (FROM the north) to the west of the low pressure area, and along Elizabetha's route. Assuming that the low pressure area is moving eastward and that Elizabetha was even closer to the center for the past day or two than her current location would indicate, it's reasonable to surmise that she's had tailwinds of at least 15-20 knots (perhaps 25-30 knots) for all or most of the past two days (1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.15 miles per hour). So, for a quick reality check, here's a fictitious example: if she's airborne for 15 hours with a normal flying speed of 40 mph, and is boosted by a 20 knot (23 mph) tailwind, she would cover 945 miles. So, it could happen. Also, note that the winds at Elizabetha's flying altitude (800 meters is not unusual) would be somewhat higher than the surface winds shown on the chart. It's also interesting to note that the northerly wind direction down the east coast, then veering to the northeast approaching Florida, closely approximates Elizabetha's known track. We'll never know when or where she made landfall between Maine and Florida, but with those winds she certainly had plenty of time to rest or hunt along the way and still cover the known distance.
Regarding that 1-hour time shift in the GPS reporting times -- the Argos system does this automatically to account for changes in longitude, so that the reporting times stay approximately the same in LOCAL time. On today's updated map, there are GPS fixes for 19 Oct at 2100Z and again at 2200z, indicating that one of these time shifts has occurred. Our overnight signal for Elizabetha is now at 0600Z instead of 0500Z."
Thanks for the detailed report Don. This remarkable flight deserves it. I suspect that this will be a benchmark for some time to come.
19 October, 2008
Elizabetha Flying over the Atlantic Ocean Last Night
One of the things we are learning during this project is that predicting the behavior of migrant peregrines is always challenging. We had expected Elizabetha to migrate slowly down the eastern shoreline, perhaps stopping at several different locations along the way. We were hoping that people might get the opportunity to see her perched somewhere on a log or something.
Instead, she turned on the jet-pack yesterday and flew across all of New England and past New York. At last signal (1 AM Eastern time!), she was flying south at night over the ocean 15 km off the New Jersey coast doing 88 kph (55 mph). Remarkable.
As Don McCall writes "if she's going to fly at night, that's the place to do it -- the eastern seaboard is lit up like a Christmas tree at night for a thousand miles, so navigation certainly wouldn't be a problem."
She had traveled 744 km (462 miles) during this period, her longest jump so far this season. As we have seen many times in the past, when they are ready to go, they can really cover some distance.
It is likely that she put in somewhere this morning and may be resting during this period. Today is probably one of the best opportunities anyone will have to see her.
Instead, she turned on the jet-pack yesterday and flew across all of New England and past New York. At last signal (1 AM Eastern time!), she was flying south at night over the ocean 15 km off the New Jersey coast doing 88 kph (55 mph). Remarkable.
As Don McCall writes "if she's going to fly at night, that's the place to do it -- the eastern seaboard is lit up like a Christmas tree at night for a thousand miles, so navigation certainly wouldn't be a problem."
She had traveled 744 km (462 miles) during this period, her longest jump so far this season. As we have seen many times in the past, when they are ready to go, they can really cover some distance.
It is likely that she put in somewhere this morning and may be resting during this period. Today is probably one of the best opportunities anyone will have to see her.
18 October, 2008
The Fireball Enigma
Don McCall reports that we got a couple of weak signals from Fireball over the last two days. Unfortunately, they are just below the power threshhold that would allow us to pinpoint his location accurately.
So we just have to wait and see if the transmitter can gain enough solar power to re-charge his battery and locate him.
We still have no idea where he is right now or what route he is selecting on his way back to Chile, but at least his transmitter has not died completely.
We'll post more information as it comes in to the system.
So we just have to wait and see if the transmitter can gain enough solar power to re-charge his battery and locate him.
We still have no idea where he is right now or what route he is selecting on his way back to Chile, but at least his transmitter has not died completely.
We'll post more information as it comes in to the system.
Elizabetha in Maine
As expected (for once), Elizabetha did a straight shot south from the St. Lawrence River yesterday, flew into Maine and roosted on the shores of Moosehead Lake. She put into a conifer grove near the shoreline of a small inlet for the night.
She appears to be heading for the Atlantic coastline and, if she follows her current heading, may arrive there by tonight (Saturday).
She flew a total of 326 km (203 miles) yesterday, so she is definitely on the move now.
Contrast her behavior with a report from our peregrine colleague and friend in Lima, Peru, Oscar Beingolea, who reports his first sighting of a tundra bird in Lima yesterday. This sighting took place around 12 degrees south latitude and is traditionally right on time for the arrival of the first tundra peregrines in that part of the world.
She appears to be heading for the Atlantic coastline and, if she follows her current heading, may arrive there by tonight (Saturday).
She flew a total of 326 km (203 miles) yesterday, so she is definitely on the move now.
Contrast her behavior with a report from our peregrine colleague and friend in Lima, Peru, Oscar Beingolea, who reports his first sighting of a tundra bird in Lima yesterday. This sighting took place around 12 degrees south latitude and is traditionally right on time for the arrival of the first tundra peregrines in that part of the world.
17 October, 2008
Sparky in Belize
Sparrow King continues to follow a beautiful line extending from the Florida Keys across Cuba and on to the Yucatan Peninsula. From there, he is continuing south along the Caribbean coastline of Central America to Belize.
This route is very similar to his route from last year but he is traveling about 9 days earlier this year. He was also earlier on his migration north last spring. Is he getting faster as he gets older? Is he getting faster with increasing experience?
Incidentally, for those of you who have visited Cancun, it appears that Sparky flew right over town when he completed his flight across the Gulf.
To me, one of the most elegant features of his route is the over-water crossing from Cuba to Mexico. This leg of his journey involves about 195 km (121 miles) of open ocean flight. He could not have picked a better location for a crossing. It is the narrowest place to cross the Caribbean without flying down the Antilles and winding up in Venezuela or Guyana.
His current signal is within about 50 km (33 miles) of where we received the final signal from Chamiza last spring.
This route is very similar to his route from last year but he is traveling about 9 days earlier this year. He was also earlier on his migration north last spring. Is he getting faster as he gets older? Is he getting faster with increasing experience?
Incidentally, for those of you who have visited Cancun, it appears that Sparky flew right over town when he completed his flight across the Gulf.
To me, one of the most elegant features of his route is the over-water crossing from Cuba to Mexico. This leg of his journey involves about 195 km (121 miles) of open ocean flight. He could not have picked a better location for a crossing. It is the narrowest place to cross the Caribbean without flying down the Antilles and winding up in Venezuela or Guyana.
His current signal is within about 50 km (33 miles) of where we received the final signal from Chamiza last spring.
Elizabetha Moving Along the St. Lawrence
Elizabetha is slowly moving SW along the St. Lawrence and is now about 163 km (100 miles) NE of Quebec. She is following the northern coastline instead of jumping across the river. At last signal, she was apparently flying down the waterway and was nearly to an island in mid-river. By the time I write this, I expect that she may have arrived in New Brunswick.
Last year, when Mark Prostor and I were chasing another adult female satellite-tagged peregrine, Linda, she also paused along the St. Lawrence although further upstream in NY. We got to within a quarter mile of her but were unable to find her among the densely forested shoreline.
However, we were both struck by how much birdlife was available in the region at that time of year. The place was crawling with birds, many flying out over the open water, becoming both visible and vulnerable to falcons. We had no problem understanding why this area was attractive to migrant peregrines. There was food for them everywhere.
As we now observe our second adult female heading south via satellite this year, we understand how adult females can "delay" their migration south. We always thought that adult peregrines rocketed south as soon as possible so they could be the first to arrive on and claim their austral ranges in Central and South America. And, of course, many do. Look at Sparrow King for example.
But these two birds, Linda and Elizabetha, are showing us a different model. They simply take their time heading south, apparently exploiting prey sources that are available at locations such as the St. Lawrence River at this time of year.
Last year, when Mark Prostor and I were chasing another adult female satellite-tagged peregrine, Linda, she also paused along the St. Lawrence although further upstream in NY. We got to within a quarter mile of her but were unable to find her among the densely forested shoreline.
However, we were both struck by how much birdlife was available in the region at that time of year. The place was crawling with birds, many flying out over the open water, becoming both visible and vulnerable to falcons. We had no problem understanding why this area was attractive to migrant peregrines. There was food for them everywhere.
As we now observe our second adult female heading south via satellite this year, we understand how adult females can "delay" their migration south. We always thought that adult peregrines rocketed south as soon as possible so they could be the first to arrive on and claim their austral ranges in Central and South America. And, of course, many do. Look at Sparrow King for example.
But these two birds, Linda and Elizabetha, are showing us a different model. They simply take their time heading south, apparently exploiting prey sources that are available at locations such as the St. Lawrence River at this time of year.
15 October, 2008
Quick Update
Running out the door this morning but here is a quick report from Don.
"Sparrow King has crossed the Gulf of Mexico and is near the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 12 km southwest of Cancun, Mexico. The straight-line distance from his last known position two days ago (near Key West, Florida) is 677 km (421 mi) but he almost certainly made landfall in Cuba along the way.
Elizabetha had a day of rest yesterday and covered only about 12 km, so she is still in central Quebec."
"Sparrow King has crossed the Gulf of Mexico and is near the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 12 km southwest of Cancun, Mexico. The straight-line distance from his last known position two days ago (near Key West, Florida) is 677 km (421 mi) but he almost certainly made landfall in Cuba along the way.
Elizabetha had a day of rest yesterday and covered only about 12 km, so she is still in central Quebec."
14 October, 2008
Elizabetha Continues South on Monday
Although her points are not plotted on our maps as yet this morning due to a technical glitch, Elizabetha flew south an additional 250 km (155 miles) yesterday. Not sure where she roosted until later today.
13 October, 2008
Sparky Now In the Florida Keys
The latest signals show that Sparrow King roosted near the western extremity of the Florida Keys. He spent the night in a continuous forest near the middle of Marquesa Key, about 30 km (19 miles) WNW of the town of Key West.
This area is known for its high numbers of migrant peregrines and merlins. In the 1980's, Tom Smiley and Bill Mattox, both peregrine experts, trapped birds even further west at the Dry Tortugas. The inimitable Scott Ward had suggested the site to them. I recall one photograph with over a dozen birds in sight at one time in a single tree!
Later on, Casey Lott began observing raptors at Curry Hammock Key further east in the keys (near Marathon Key) and discovered one of the largest known peregrine migrations in the world. And apologies to him if I have gotten any of this information wrong!
Their project is jointly supported by Hawk Watch International and the Florida Audubon Society.
I just talked with Scott Ward this morning. He reports that last week, he visited the Grassy Key site and observed 158 migrant peregrines flashing by in a day. So the Keys are obviously a great place to see migrant falcons in fall.
Sparrow King is generally repeating his route from last year. We expect that his next signals will come in from Cuba, en route to Central America.
This area is known for its high numbers of migrant peregrines and merlins. In the 1980's, Tom Smiley and Bill Mattox, both peregrine experts, trapped birds even further west at the Dry Tortugas. The inimitable Scott Ward had suggested the site to them. I recall one photograph with over a dozen birds in sight at one time in a single tree!
Later on, Casey Lott began observing raptors at Curry Hammock Key further east in the keys (near Marathon Key) and discovered one of the largest known peregrine migrations in the world. And apologies to him if I have gotten any of this information wrong!
Their project is jointly supported by Hawk Watch International and the Florida Audubon Society.
I just talked with Scott Ward this morning. He reports that last week, he visited the Grassy Key site and observed 158 migrant peregrines flashing by in a day. So the Keys are obviously a great place to see migrant falcons in fall.
Sparrow King is generally repeating his route from last year. We expect that his next signals will come in from Cuba, en route to Central America.
Elizabetha Now Moving South
Elizabetha started putting on some speed yesterday. She appears to be seriously starting her migration, flying 275 km (171 miles), almost due south across the Ungava Peninsula in Quebec.
In the afternoon, she flew an additional 36 km (22 miles) before putting in for the night in a tarn-strewn area of tundra. She hasn't arrived at the treeline yet.
On her present course, she is heading towards Maine and the classic east coast or Atlantic seaboard migration route.
Will she take a coastal or mountain route once she enters the US?
In the afternoon, she flew an additional 36 km (22 miles) before putting in for the night in a tarn-strewn area of tundra. She hasn't arrived at the treeline yet.
On her present course, she is heading towards Maine and the classic east coast or Atlantic seaboard migration route.
Will she take a coastal or mountain route once she enters the US?
12 October, 2008
Still No Word From Fireball
Looks like Fireball's transmitter may have failed. We are still hoping that he will perch somewhere in the sun for a few hours and that the unit will re-charge at some point.
The question is when and where? Perhaps somewhere along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico or points further south. Maybe the Atacama Desert.
If not, we will all be looking for him at Putu in Chile next March.
The question is when and where? Perhaps somewhere along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico or points further south. Maybe the Atacama Desert.
If not, we will all be looking for him at Putu in Chile next March.
Elizabetha Moving Overland
Elizabetha started heading overland across the Ungava Peninsula yesterday. She has left the salt-water coastline behind and is now traveling cross-country. She covered 98 km (61 miles) on her route towards South America and may be poised to start a serious migration soon.
11 October, 2008
Sparrow King Now in Florida
Friday morning we received signals from Sparrow King indicating that he has continued to cross through the southeastern US. Over the previous two days, he flew south for another 500 km (311 mi). So yesterday morning, he was in north-central Florida. He apparently flew through (or close to) Jacksonville.
His next signals are due on Sunday morning.
It looks like he has again selected the trans-Gulf route to South America. This year, he is moving through Florida quite a bit earlier than in 2007.
Last year, he left the Florida coast around 21 October, 10 days later than this year. He was in Cuba on 24 October and jumped to the coastline of Central America by 26 October. We picked him up on the coast of Honduras on that day.
Will he repeat this route again this year?
His next signals are due on Sunday morning.
It looks like he has again selected the trans-Gulf route to South America. This year, he is moving through Florida quite a bit earlier than in 2007.
Last year, he left the Florida coast around 21 October, 10 days later than this year. He was in Cuba on 24 October and jumped to the coastline of Central America by 26 October. We picked him up on the coast of Honduras on that day.
Will he repeat this route again this year?
Elizabetha Continues to Haunt the Shores of Ungava Bay
Elizabetha remains in the Ungava Bay area as the fall season continues to progress. Signals from two days ago confirm that she is still moving around within a small coastal area and so she remains mobile and active.
Yesterday, she made an obvious move to the south, covering 91 km (57 mi). She has changed her heading slighty to the west but still remains near the salt-water on a large bay.
So we have a second adult female pausing in her migration southward. Quite interesting and unexpected data for us.
Yesterday, she made an obvious move to the south, covering 91 km (57 mi). She has changed her heading slighty to the west but still remains near the salt-water on a large bay.
So we have a second adult female pausing in her migration southward. Quite interesting and unexpected data for us.
09 October, 2008
Sparrow King Now In South Carolina
Don McCall continues to chronicle the migration of Sparky.
He writes....
"Sparrow King has covered another half of a country. He's flown from New York to South Carolina (1162 km, 722 mi) in the past two days, and has averaged over 300 miles per day since leaving Baffin Island 7 days ago."
Although we can't know where he roosted two nights ago, we have determined that Sparky put in last night in the Congaree Swamp National Monument in South Carolina. This area is due south and within 30 miles of the house of another FRG member and consultant, Marty Daniels.
She resides at the Mulberry Plantation near Camden, SC. It is likely that Sparrow King may have been within sight of the plantation grounds as he migrated through yesterday. Nice to think so anyway. I spoke with Marty this morning and here are some of her comments regarding Sparky's roosting area.
She states that he perched in a Cypress-Tupelo swamp at the confluence of two major rivers, one running through her property upriver. It is a huge area with sparse human population. These are huge trees, some over 1,000 years of age. It is typical woodpecker habitat and is loaded with wading birds and passerines like the Carolina Wren. She has kayaked through the area looking for Ivory-bills in the past.
Having visited her home last year, and South Carolina for the first time, I can report that I was impressed with the high number of Water Mocassin snakes in these swamplands. Very impressive habitat.
She also reports that yesterday it began to rain at noon and continued steadily through the night, sometimes torrentially. There was no wind, which is unusual at this time of year.
Thanks Marty!
He writes....
"Sparrow King has covered another half of a country. He's flown from New York to South Carolina (1162 km, 722 mi) in the past two days, and has averaged over 300 miles per day since leaving Baffin Island 7 days ago."
Although we can't know where he roosted two nights ago, we have determined that Sparky put in last night in the Congaree Swamp National Monument in South Carolina. This area is due south and within 30 miles of the house of another FRG member and consultant, Marty Daniels.
She resides at the Mulberry Plantation near Camden, SC. It is likely that Sparrow King may have been within sight of the plantation grounds as he migrated through yesterday. Nice to think so anyway. I spoke with Marty this morning and here are some of her comments regarding Sparky's roosting area.
She states that he perched in a Cypress-Tupelo swamp at the confluence of two major rivers, one running through her property upriver. It is a huge area with sparse human population. These are huge trees, some over 1,000 years of age. It is typical woodpecker habitat and is loaded with wading birds and passerines like the Carolina Wren. She has kayaked through the area looking for Ivory-bills in the past.
Having visited her home last year, and South Carolina for the first time, I can report that I was impressed with the high number of Water Mocassin snakes in these swamplands. Very impressive habitat.
She also reports that yesterday it began to rain at noon and continued steadily through the night, sometimes torrentially. There was no wind, which is unusual at this time of year.
Thanks Marty!
Still No More Signals From Fireball
We are not receiving any more signals from Fireball. We know that he was moving south as we got some weak Doppler signals earlier. We are hoping to pick up more signals as he gets into the sunnier areas and his battery re-charges, although we are aware that it may be totally non-functional by now.
If we get more signals, great. If not, we hope to be returning to Chile in March and will try our best to re-trap him and remove his transmitter. We are planning to attempt the same process with Seven. If we are successful, we will return these units to the manufacturer, Microwave Telemetry, and see if they can determine why these transmitters are failing so early, i.e less than a year.
If we get more signals, great. If not, we hope to be returning to Chile in March and will try our best to re-trap him and remove his transmitter. We are planning to attempt the same process with Seven. If we are successful, we will return these units to the manufacturer, Microwave Telemetry, and see if they can determine why these transmitters are failing so early, i.e less than a year.
Elizabetha Remaining at Ungava Bay in northern Quebec
Elizabetha is behaving in a very similar manner to our other adult female tundra peregrine, Linda, from last year. She remains in the north as the fall progresses, the days get shorter and the temperature getting colder. Obviously , there is still prey for her to catch and the instinct to migrate south has not kicked into high gear as yet.
There must be some obvious reasons for her to stay. Pretty interesting stuff as one of our many preconceived notions in the past has been that all the adult peregrines migrate out of the arctic first and that they go fast. Some do but now we know that some don't.
It would be really interesting to be able to observe her and see exactly what she is doing up there along that salt-water shoreline so late in the season. Picking off migrant passerines crossing over from Baffin? Nailing ducks?
In comparison, Veracruz reported that at least 23 peregrines passed by their count sites yesterday. They have a total of 375 for the fall season thus far.
There must be some obvious reasons for her to stay. Pretty interesting stuff as one of our many preconceived notions in the past has been that all the adult peregrines migrate out of the arctic first and that they go fast. Some do but now we know that some don't.
It would be really interesting to be able to observe her and see exactly what she is doing up there along that salt-water shoreline so late in the season. Picking off migrant passerines crossing over from Baffin? Nailing ducks?
In comparison, Veracruz reported that at least 23 peregrines passed by their count sites yesterday. They have a total of 375 for the fall season thus far.
07 October, 2008
Northern Attraction
There seem to be some unknown factor(s) involved in keeping two of our tagged birds hanging out in the north. Like Linda last year, these peregrines are taking their own sweet time before heading seriously to the south.
Don writes...
"Elizabetha stayed in the same area for another day, but we finally received one more weak (qual. 0) signal for Fireball. Qual 0 signals aren't normally plotted unless there are multiple signals close together for confirmation, but this one appears to be in a very reasonable location; so, in the absence of any other information, it has been included on the maps. This fix indicates that Fireball has flown 497 km (309 mi) in the past 9 days and is now near the shore of Akimiski Island in James Bay, at the south end of Hudson Bay, which is a perfectly straight-line extension of his previously known path."
So we apparently have Fireball remaining in the same area of southern Hudson Bay, i.e. James Bay, exactly as Linda did last fall. And I clearly recall speaking to a Polar Bear biologist in Thompson last October who told me about the many peregrines he saw perched along the duck-rich shoreline of James Bay and the famous waterfowl hunting season that goes on there every fall.
So are these birds exploiting the prey sources at James Bay to fatten up prior to the long flight to South America?
Is Elizabetha doing the same thing along the shores of Ungava Bay? Again like Linda, she remains quite far to the north fairly late in the season, at a latitude equivalent to SE Alaska.
Are we seeing a normal but undescribed late migration in fall among these "deep" peregrines? They are among the latest known migrant peregrines in the spring months. And now, at least three (Linda, Fireball and Elizabetha) are among the latest known fall migrants as well.
Don writes...
"Elizabetha stayed in the same area for another day, but we finally received one more weak (qual. 0) signal for Fireball. Qual 0 signals aren't normally plotted unless there are multiple signals close together for confirmation, but this one appears to be in a very reasonable location; so, in the absence of any other information, it has been included on the maps. This fix indicates that Fireball has flown 497 km (309 mi) in the past 9 days and is now near the shore of Akimiski Island in James Bay, at the south end of Hudson Bay, which is a perfectly straight-line extension of his previously known path."
So we apparently have Fireball remaining in the same area of southern Hudson Bay, i.e. James Bay, exactly as Linda did last fall. And I clearly recall speaking to a Polar Bear biologist in Thompson last October who told me about the many peregrines he saw perched along the duck-rich shoreline of James Bay and the famous waterfowl hunting season that goes on there every fall.
So are these birds exploiting the prey sources at James Bay to fatten up prior to the long flight to South America?
Is Elizabetha doing the same thing along the shores of Ungava Bay? Again like Linda, she remains quite far to the north fairly late in the season, at a latitude equivalent to SE Alaska.
Are we seeing a normal but undescribed late migration in fall among these "deep" peregrines? They are among the latest known migrant peregrines in the spring months. And now, at least three (Linda, Fireball and Elizabetha) are among the latest known fall migrants as well.
06 October, 2008
Sparrow King In Upstate New York Last Night
Sparrow King has really put on some speed. Over the last two days, he has flown 1,270 km (792 miles). Last night he roosted in upper New York, just northeast of Syracuse and Lake Oneida.
He could be heading for Hawk Mountain once again so we hope that our east coast hawkwatching friends will be on the lookout for him.
Elizabetha had another rest day and did not move any substantial distance.
He could be heading for Hawk Mountain once again so we hope that our east coast hawkwatching friends will be on the lookout for him.
Elizabetha had another rest day and did not move any substantial distance.
05 October, 2008
Results from Saturday
Don and Mark have put together a web map showing the combined routes of all three of our southbound satellite-tagged peregrines. Go to the main Southern Cross Peregrine Project web page, then click on "View combined migration map" just underneath the main page heading. You can see all three of the routes and compare how the falcons are moving in relation to each other. Both Sparrow King and Fireball were converging on the southern end of Hudson Bay, towards the famous waterfowl-rich areas of James Bay.
We have had no signals from Fireball for some time now, so don't be surprised if he shows up far to the south once his transmitter battery charges up again.
Elizabetha is moving south along the western shoreline of Ungava Bay in Quebec. She covered 182 km (113 mi) yesterday and appears to be selecting an eastern seaboard heading.
We have had no signals from Fireball for some time now, so don't be surprised if he shows up far to the south once his transmitter battery charges up again.
Elizabetha is moving south along the western shoreline of Ungava Bay in Quebec. She covered 182 km (113 mi) yesterday and appears to be selecting an eastern seaboard heading.
03 October, 2008
Sparky On The Move!
Looks like Sparrow King started moving either yesterday or the day before, we can't be certain as we receive his signals every two days. At any rate, he is moving hard and has almost reached James Bay already!
Don writes...."Sparrow King has begun his southern migration with quite a jump. A stream of Doppler fixes for Sparrow King was received today and show that in the past two days he has already travelled 1034 km (643 miles) since leaving Baffin Island; this year he is flying down the east side of Hudson Bay and has nearly reached James Bay, its southern-most extension.
His exact time of departure cannot be ascertained but was probably sometime Wednesday (01 Oct); his first fix today at 09:24 (local) was 665 km (413 mi) from his departure point, and he travelled an additional 369 km (230 mi) today between 09:24 and 14:50 (local). His average speed just for today has been 68 kph (42 mph)."
So all three of our tagged birds are now moving south at this time.
Don writes...."Sparrow King has begun his southern migration with quite a jump. A stream of Doppler fixes for Sparrow King was received today and show that in the past two days he has already travelled 1034 km (643 miles) since leaving Baffin Island; this year he is flying down the east side of Hudson Bay and has nearly reached James Bay, its southern-most extension.
His exact time of departure cannot be ascertained but was probably sometime Wednesday (01 Oct); his first fix today at 09:24 (local) was 665 km (413 mi) from his departure point, and he travelled an additional 369 km (230 mi) today between 09:24 and 14:50 (local). His average speed just for today has been 68 kph (42 mph)."
So all three of our tagged birds are now moving south at this time.
Slow Day on Thursday
Elizabetha has held up and remained stationary after her sea crossing of the Hudson Strait. She is certainly in no rush to get back to Chile.
Her apparent reluctance to leave the arctic is similar to Sparrow King. He is still on his breeding territory as we move into October, just like last year. It makes me think that there is a reason for them to stay up there until the latest date possible. Perhaps there is an abundant source of food available to them.
We should get the latest data for Sparrow King later on today (recall that his signals come in only every two days). It is fascinating to see that he is still so far to the north while the peak peregrine migration week is just starting to hit on the Texas Gulf coast.
The errant transmitter of Fireball is still operating sporadically. No more new signals as yet. How far has he gone? What route has he selected?
And, although Fireball summered much further north than Sparrow King (i.e. above the Arctic Circle), he is apparently far to the south of Sparky by now, having departed much earlier.
Of course, Fireball will be migrating much farther to the south too. Sparky, in contrast, just needs to return to Antofagasta, near the Tropic of Capricorn in northern Chile. Fireball has to fly hundreds of miles farther to the Putu dune fields, well south of Santiago.
Her apparent reluctance to leave the arctic is similar to Sparrow King. He is still on his breeding territory as we move into October, just like last year. It makes me think that there is a reason for them to stay up there until the latest date possible. Perhaps there is an abundant source of food available to them.
We should get the latest data for Sparrow King later on today (recall that his signals come in only every two days). It is fascinating to see that he is still so far to the north while the peak peregrine migration week is just starting to hit on the Texas Gulf coast.
The errant transmitter of Fireball is still operating sporadically. No more new signals as yet. How far has he gone? What route has he selected?
And, although Fireball summered much further north than Sparrow King (i.e. above the Arctic Circle), he is apparently far to the south of Sparky by now, having departed much earlier.
Of course, Fireball will be migrating much farther to the south too. Sparky, in contrast, just needs to return to Antofagasta, near the Tropic of Capricorn in northern Chile. Fireball has to fly hundreds of miles farther to the Putu dune fields, well south of Santiago.
02 October, 2008
Elizabetha Crosses Hudson Strait En Route South
Here is the latest report from Don McCall...
"Elizabetha has crossed Hudson Strait (the body of water separating Baffin Island from the mainland) and is now in northern Quebec; she flew 251 km (156 mi) yesterday, and interestingly travelled mostly west for the crossing instead of south, which would seem to be a more obvious direction for her to take. Perhaps this gives a clue as to the route she'll be taking while crossing the U.S., or maybe it's weather related; her battery has weakened to the point where we obtained Doppler fixes for last night and this morning but no GPS fixes."
The data for Sparrow King is due in tomorrow. Still no word from Fireball although we anticipate that he is still moving south.
We have sent the numbers for all of our satellite transmitters (both working and not) to the team of peregrine banders lead by Gregg Doney at South Padre Island in Texas. They will be following the migrations of each tagged bird as the fall progresses. Their project runs from 25 September through 25 October. There is always a slim possibility that the team might see one of these birds (plus other migrant arctic birds tagged by either Alastair Franke at Rankin Inlet or Geoff Holroyd at Edmonton in Canada) during their surveys.
In fact, we are interested in any sightings of these tagged peregrines from anywhere along the migration. Unlikely as it may be, if you sight one of these birds, please let us know. I can be reached at bud@frg.org. Thanks.
"Elizabetha has crossed Hudson Strait (the body of water separating Baffin Island from the mainland) and is now in northern Quebec; she flew 251 km (156 mi) yesterday, and interestingly travelled mostly west for the crossing instead of south, which would seem to be a more obvious direction for her to take. Perhaps this gives a clue as to the route she'll be taking while crossing the U.S., or maybe it's weather related; her battery has weakened to the point where we obtained Doppler fixes for last night and this morning but no GPS fixes."
The data for Sparrow King is due in tomorrow. Still no word from Fireball although we anticipate that he is still moving south.
We have sent the numbers for all of our satellite transmitters (both working and not) to the team of peregrine banders lead by Gregg Doney at South Padre Island in Texas. They will be following the migrations of each tagged bird as the fall progresses. Their project runs from 25 September through 25 October. There is always a slim possibility that the team might see one of these birds (plus other migrant arctic birds tagged by either Alastair Franke at Rankin Inlet or Geoff Holroyd at Edmonton in Canada) during their surveys.
In fact, we are interested in any sightings of these tagged peregrines from anywhere along the migration. Unlikely as it may be, if you sight one of these birds, please let us know. I can be reached at bud@frg.org. Thanks.
Tuesday migration
Elizabetha continued her movement to the south today and is now near the southern edge of Baffin Island. She is poised for the jump across Baffin Strait to the mainland. At this point, she is only about 20 km from the range of Sparrow King, who still remains on site.
No word from Fireball's radio unit. Just like Linda last year, we are seeing low power on his transmitter battery. We are not likely to get any more GPS locations until he hits some sunshine.
No word from Fireball's radio unit. Just like Linda last year, we are seeing low power on his transmitter battery. We are not likely to get any more GPS locations until he hits some sunshine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
