We had about 40 people at this years event, co-sponsored again by FORB and "Friends of the Swainson's Hawk" (FOSH). That was impressive given the number of competing events that weekend.
Betsy & Bert represented "Save the American River Association" (SARA), including plenty of refreshments and of course cookies.
Darrell, represented the Sacramento Audubon Chapter.
Sallie and Liz from California Raptor Center at UC Davis brought two Swainson's hawks.
Jay from "Raptors are the Solution" (RATS), came with three raptors, a White-tailed Kite, a Swainson's hawk and a Prairie Falcon. RATS works to save wildlife from rodenticide exposure. He had Raticators for sale, which are battery-powered electrocution traps for mice and rats. The traps are effective, easy to use, and humane. Jay said he'd send some info from his talk soon. Ever seen a Prairie Falcon before? Certainly not I. I'm pleased with the education and discovery shared through our programs.
As we were ready to begin the talk, Jane Taylor spotted a wild Swainson's hawk soaring high above which heightened the expectation level for all. Even though we didn't have the use of FOSH's speaker system, as the power was not turned on, people seemed to hear ok and we had many good Q & A from the crowd.
Jim Pachl and another serious birder carried spotting scopes down as we hiked along the river banks. The scopes allowed all to see three Belted Kingfisher nest burrows in the steep banks across the river and we did spot and hear one. We saw several places where Beavers had hauled tree branches down to the river the night before, much poop remained in the shallows where they had fed.
We also saw a few Swainson's hawks and one was spotted with nesting material which makes us think there is a new or yet unidentified nest across and down river from the old nest sights.
Our neighbor Carol attended the event and shared the following:
Hi Robert,
I had a lovely time at the river today. I enjoyed it so much that I convinced Kevin to come back with me at dusk and we saw bats, beavers and the owl!
Here are the best of the pictures I took. I hope you enjoy them.
Thank you so much.
Carol
You are invited to view Carol's photo album: Swainson's walk with FORB
Swainson's walk with FORB
Apr 12, 2014
by Carol
Friends of the River Banks "Return of the Swainson's Hawk Celebration" at Sutter's Landing Park, Saturday, April 12, 2014
View Album
A brief update for now with some photos I took below.
Robert
Betsy & Bert represented "Save the American River Association" (SARA), including plenty of refreshments and of course cookies.
Darrell, represented the Sacramento Audubon Chapter.
Sallie and Liz from California Raptor Center at UC Davis brought two Swainson's hawks.
Jay from "Raptors are the Solution" (RATS), came with three raptors, a White-tailed Kite, a Swainson's hawk and a Prairie Falcon. RATS works to save wildlife from rodenticide exposure. He had Raticators for sale, which are battery-powered electrocution traps for mice and rats. The traps are effective, easy to use, and humane. Jay said he'd send some info from his talk soon. Ever seen a Prairie Falcon before? Certainly not I. I'm pleased with the education and discovery shared through our programs.
As we were ready to begin the talk, Jane Taylor spotted a wild Swainson's hawk soaring high above which heightened the expectation level for all. Even though we didn't have the use of FOSH's speaker system, as the power was not turned on, people seemed to hear ok and we had many good Q & A from the crowd.
Jim Pachl and another serious birder carried spotting scopes down as we hiked along the river banks. The scopes allowed all to see three Belted Kingfisher nest burrows in the steep banks across the river and we did spot and hear one. We saw several places where Beavers had hauled tree branches down to the river the night before, much poop remained in the shallows where they had fed.
We also saw a few Swainson's hawks and one was spotted with nesting material which makes us think there is a new or yet unidentified nest across and down river from the old nest sights.
Our neighbor Carol attended the event and shared the following:
Hi Robert,
I had a lovely time at the river today. I enjoyed it so much that I convinced Kevin to come back with me at dusk and we saw bats, beavers and the owl!
Here are the best of the pictures I took. I hope you enjoy them.
Thank you so much.
Carol
You are invited to view Carol's photo album: Swainson's walk with FORB
Swainson's walk with FORB
Apr 12, 2014
by Carol
Friends of the River Banks "Return of the Swainson's Hawk Celebration" at Sutter's Landing Park, Saturday, April 12, 2014
View Album
A brief update for now with some photos I took below.
Robert
The stars of the program.
This Swainson's hawk looked ready to hunt on the mound at Sutter's Landing Park as others do.
Always an uplifting event!
Preening?
White-tailed kites like this one are a common sight at Sutter's Landing Park.
A captive audience.
"Is that a fact about me?"
People watching?
Right at home at Sutter's Landing Park.
Watching wild Swainson's hawks soar and other wildlife seen during the event.
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