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October 15, 1987 - Wind-Borne VisitorsPage SA/The Suffolk Times /October 1`5,'1987 Wind -Borne Visitors By PAUL STOUTENBURGH Some time ago I mentioned that I'd be reporting on our hawk migra- tion here on the East End so we set last Thursday for our target date. There was one hitch to the plan. Our daughter called and asked if we would be able to baby -sit 14- month- old Chelsea for the day. Well, grandma never refuses a chance to take care of any of the grandchildren, even if it means taking them with us, so off we headed hawk watching with Chelsea on Barbara's back. These new handy back carriers make it so easy to slip the little ones in and carry them off. So with both of us loaded down with backpacks we de- cided we, too, could travel like the Indians once did. Our destination was the barrier beach along our south shore. This lengthy ocean frontage, that literally runs from Montauk Point west to the city, builds up with hawks at this time of year when they are on their annual migration south. It's long been known that the south shore pro- duces hawks during the fall, particu- larly when a cold front moves in that brings a brisk northwest wind. Hawks and birds of all sorts move on these winds because it is easier for them. They are boosted along with little effort. When the winds shift, or subside, the birds hang around and feed to build up that extra energy so necessary for the next leg of their journey. The Kestrel is Common The most common hawk we see Focus on Nature here on the island is the little kes- trel, once known as the sparrow hawk. They live in cavities of trees much like the yellow- shafted flicker, our largest woodpecker. They also nest in buildings and even bird boxes if the opening is large enough. To show their adaptability in living quarters one took up residence in an opening of one of our highway de- partment buildings this year where it became quite a celebrity amongst the workers. One can always spot this little fal- con when it's hunting for it has the characteristic of hanging in the air beating its wings. From that high vantage point, it watches below until the right moment when a mouse or shrew lets down its guard and the falcon drops on it. We left home with not only my camera equipment and our binocu- lars but an odd assortment of baby's requirements. Once while looking for a lens in my camera pack I came across an extra neatly folded Pamper that Barbara had tucked away just for extra insurance. Mothers know best. Our day was almost perfect. The one ingredient most necessary was there, the northwest wind, but not in any particular force. We could have chosen any spot along the south shore close to the ocean where there 5we Birdwatcher's Companion 14dt FEATURING. The amazing "Aviarium" Birdfeeder that brings birds right into your home. The feeder is made of mirrored plexiglass that allows you to watch the birds for hours, but they cannot see you. Other Bird Items Include; • Bird Mugs • Bird Pillows • Bird Notecards • Bird Prints • Bird Bath Heaters • Bird Bookmarks • Bird Fountains • Bird Houses • Bird Jewelry • Bird Door Knockers • Bird Books • Bird Field Guides • Bird Floor Mats • Bird Baths • Bird Recordings • Bird Thermometers Complete line of binoculars, spotting scopes and tripods PLUS over 30 different types of bird feeders including Droll Yankee and seven different types of bird seed. 9fie Birdwatcher's Companion 765 -5872 North Road, County Road 48, Southold OPEN YEAR -ROUND Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh KESTREL - -This closeup of the head of our smallest hawk shows the curved beak and colorful face markings so characteristic of this com- mon falcon. are open spaces and a restrictive nar- row land mass. We chose Smith Point at the east end of Fire Island Na- tional Seashore. This area, which has been designated a Wilderness Area, is very dear to me since I spent six wonderful summers working as an Interpreter for the Park Service. As we headed south on William Floyd Parkway it was hard to im- agine we'd shortly arrive where less than a handful of people would be en- joying the splendor of this open area. Of course, during the peak season in the summer, it is crowded but now we were to have it almost to ourse- lves. Even before we got there as we crossed the Smith Point bridge, we knew migrations were in progress. Long strings of cormorants, some- times confused with geese, were fly- ing up bay on their journey south. Before our two -hour stop would be over, we'd be seeing more than 1500 in flocks of 50 -100 passing by. But we didn't come today to see cormor- ants. Boardwalk Convenience We parked in the monstrous park- ing lot the county has provided on the east side and walked westward to the entrance of the National Seashore. Since we had Chelsea on our back we decided to use the boardwalk made especially for the handicapped that starts at this entr- ance. For those who might have diffi- culty in walking, this is the ideal place if you are interested in visiting a barrier beach and dune area envi- ronment. From ocean to bay and through the dunes, there is a well - constructed boardwalk. As we approached the entrance we saw our first migrating hawk, a kes- trel barreling along a mere 20 feet above the dunes, then another and then two more. By the time we had gotten started our count was up to six and then it dropped off. I remember years ago when condi- tions were perfect in this same area we saw over 500 hawks during one morning. It was most spectacular. The chances of hitting that kind of a day are hard to come by. Today our numbers wouldn't be that high but everything else was perfect. Partway along the boardwalk I thought I saw a head pop up and sure enough it was a small deer. We stopped and brought our binoculars up and soon found two others half - hidden in the tall grass grazing. We must have been the first to come through this morning for as we ap- proached them their big ears twitched and their big eyes glued on us until we came too close and they moved away. We must have been able to get within 40 feet of them be- fore they moved. By now things were really starting to happen. Two marsh hawks, or har- riers, swooped low behind the pri- mary dune line, their white rumps flashing as they went by. There were more. kestrels and then we saw a merlin. This small hawk is larger than our robin -sized kestrel and darker. We'd see four of these not -so- common falcons before our stay was over. Along the walk there are rest spots which Barbara took advantage of to take Chelsea off her back and let her walk around on her own while I did some more hawking further along. I found out that other birds were mig- rating besides the hawks. There were thrashers, catbirds, flycatchers, yel- low -rumps and others as well mak- ing their winter journey south. By now our list of kestrels had grown to 36 and we hadn't been there for more than an hour and a half. The handsome grey berries of the bayberry were at their prime and the Virginia creeper that grows in the shrub area had already started to change to its crimson fall color. Its berries, now ripe, would be ready for the migrating birds to feed on. Lunch with Larks Respecting our youngest birder's lunch time, we decided to head back to the parking lot where we saw a small flock of horned larks gleaning the seeds that blew across the wide expanse of blacktop. A few of these will remain with us through the winter. How they survive is hard to imagine. Our morning was a good one. We were able to help our kids by baby - sitting, our grandchild, on her first birding trip, passed with flying col- ors, we saw lots of hawks and the walk along the boardwalk couldn't have been nicer. I wish more people could have been with us to enjoy this spectacle of fall.