Hi all, We'll begin daily reports in September, but a few raptors have begun to move past the tower at Hitchcock Nature Center. Daily full-time counting and raptor banding at HNCH begin September 1. So far in 3 days of counting, we have had some immature Turkey Vultures and buteos on the move along with a surprisingly early adult male richardsoni seen by Ryan Evans yesterday and 2 Ospreys that flew through 10 minutes apart for me today. Amidst the many Purple Martins and swallows swarming over the Loess Hills ridges today, I saw one swallow that might have been an immature Violet-green. I have seen this species often while rock climbing in South Dakota and Wyoming (they love swooping around big granite towers). The shape, flight action and some of the plumage looked right. Somethings didn't add up though, and I couldn't fully eliminate Tree Swallow. Frustrating.
Mark O --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
