|
Post by Jon on May 27, 2022 17:32:02 GMT -8
At least 6 (SIX!!!) Swainson's Hawk were present on the south end of Gibson Road, actively hunting a mowed field (Farmers were in the process of collecting grass)
I'll put some photos up later 😎
|
|
|
Post by Jon on May 27, 2022 20:29:24 GMT -8
I had spotted 1 hawk on my way home from work. After pulling over and snapping a few photos with my phone + bins, I was about to drive away again, and then spotted a darker individual. So, there were at least 2 around. I then left for home and grabbed a camera. Coming back, I first found 1, then 2, then 3, 4, 5, and finally saw 6 birds at one time! I only saw 6 at one time, afterwards I could only find 5 but I'm sure I saw correctly. They were all hunting by a field that the grass was being collected from. Anyways, here are some pics. It was tough to get any good photos despite them coming fairly close sometimes due to the sun being to the west and the field also to the west. And the clouds were very bright. Swainson's Hawk at East Chilliwack Prairie--South of Hwy 1 by Jonathan PapSwainson's Hawk at East Chilliwack Prairie--South of Hwy 1 by Jonathan PapWhen a hawk would spot / catch a mouse, the crows and ravens would attempt to steal their catch. Swainson's Hawk at East Chilliwack Prairie--South of Hwy 1 by Jonathan PapOne taking a look at me Swainson's Hawk at East Chilliwack Prairie--South of Hwy 1 by Jonathan Pap
|
|
|
Post by Ben on May 28, 2022 4:48:52 GMT -8
You lucky little rascal, couldn't wait one day till I'd be there, eh?
|
|
|
Post by Gord on May 28, 2022 10:11:46 GMT -8
You lucky little rascal, couldn't wait one day till I'd be there, eh? Jamie and I stopped by about an hour later after work for a look. The Swainson's had already moved on with a bunch of Bald Eagles, Ravens and crows and a couple Harriers left. What an amazing find, Jon. I don't think we've ever had that many at once outside of maybe three. They are known to move in flocks and this confirms it! Yesterday afternoon we had a darker phase one go over the house heading east. Obviously there was some good raptor movement after the poor weather in the morning.
|
|
|
Post by Chris on May 28, 2022 16:40:48 GMT -8
Great sighting Jon! I drove by this morning and didn't see any. A lot of Ravens in the field though.
|
|
|
Post by Chris on May 29, 2022 11:53:58 GMT -8
There was one Swainson's Hawk on the south side of Gibson Road this morning.
|
|
|
Post by Gord on May 29, 2022 13:06:30 GMT -8
Nice! We drove by on the way home and saw one on the ground and two more overhead. From Banford we saw another but likely was one from earlier.
|
|
|
Post by Gord on May 29, 2022 13:56:34 GMT -8
Brent and Carolynn Schmor carefully counted eight this afternoon!
|
|
|
Post by Gord on May 29, 2022 21:52:31 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Bentley on May 29, 2022 22:11:50 GMT -8
I managed six this evening
|
|
|
Post by Jon on May 30, 2022 7:28:34 GMT -8
Still one around early this morning.
|
|
|
Post by Jon on May 30, 2022 16:42:53 GMT -8
Still one around early this morning. Same immature bird continues this evening on the pylon
|
|
|
Post by josterhold on May 30, 2022 19:31:33 GMT -8
The immature Swainson’s continues at the same perch on McGuire. Another 300m or so an adult dark morph Swainson’s was in the cut field. Also here but further out was a Krider’s Red-tail. This was at 8:15 this evening.
Jason
|
|
|
Post by Gord on May 30, 2022 22:45:04 GMT -8
Popped by as well late this afternoon. It has gotten much more quiet with most of the ravens, Harriers and Bald Eagles gone now. However, there was a Swainson's Hawk and immature Red-tailed Hawk hunting the field on foot halfway down Gibson from Prairie Central before a remaining Bald Eagle swooped in just because he can . The young Swainson's that likes the post further down the road was still there as previously noted by Jason and Jon. A third Swainson's Hawk appeared but was more of a fly over and continued east. It has been an interesting year in the Valley! _0222383 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
|
|
|
Post by Gord on Jun 1, 2022 17:45:34 GMT -8
There was one Swainson’s still this morning but looks like it make have pushed off as there were no sightings late this afternoon.
|
|