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For the Grand Canyon Ornithological Geeks

Posted: Aug 03 2021 6:50 pm
by Canyonram
Hawkwatch.org will sponsor the annual Migration Watch at Yaki Point, Grand Canyon from Aug 27 to Nov 7 2021. (Lipan Point is also a good viewing spot to the west but will not be part of the official watch. Keep in mind if Yaki is too crowded for your taste). In the past, peak activity between Mid Sept to mid Oct. Birders from around the world show up for the raptors. You can observe the birds in flight as they cross the Canyon and rise overhead.

https://hawkwatch.org/yaki

https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/hotsp ... k-arizona/

Great way to add to your Birding Life List:

https://hawkwatch.org/images/stories/Co ... e-2014.pdf

Plenty of birds will take the time to mob a Great Horn Owl model poised on the rim—so bring your camera and close-up lens to get pics of raptors in attack mode.

Several good 'Raptors in Flight' Field guides available on Amazon.

Will be interesting to see if the continued drought and western wildfires will have an impact on this year's count.

Re: For the Grand Canyon Ornithological Geeks

Posted: Aug 13 2021 4:46 am
by Canyonram
The eBird website lists bird sightings for the World. Birders log-in with their sightings. Here’s the opening page for Arizona. Select a county, then select ‘hotspots.’

https://ebird.org/region/US-AZ/regions?yr=all&m=

Log in before your hike and check the county where you are going. Get an idea of a rare bird or one not on your list that has been recently spotted.

Re: For the Grand Canyon Ornithological Geeks

Posted: Aug 13 2021 11:21 am
by cactuscat
@Canyonram
eBird is such an amazing resource!

Re: For the Grand Canyon Ornithological Geeks

Posted: Aug 16 2021 7:14 am
by Canyonram
If you have qualms or a reluctance to purchase books off Amazon, Hawkwatch does offer several titles of interest on their website.

https://hawkwatch.org/support/store/books/inhand-guide

Their "In-hand Guide to Diurnal North American Raptors" is a great reference showing live birds and a detailed discussion of key identification points.

https://hawkwatch.org/support/store/books/inhand-guide

The book will not be available for purchase at the Yaki Point viewing at the Canyon.