Back at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

This isn't from the Refuge it's just a pretty intersection in McAllen taken last week, you can tell how windy it was by the palm trees. We've been attending a Hawk ID class the last 3 mornings at SANWR. The class was lead by Gene Welhelm the same instructor as last weekend. Ken is excited to join the Hawk Count next week.

This is the 19th year of the Hawk Count at SANWR. Volunteers show up any time between 8 am and 1 pm, March 15 thru April 15 to count the migrating Hawks. They will be counting Broadtail, Red-tail, Red Shoulder, Swainson's, Zone-tailed and White-tailed Hawks, (the Buteos), the Kestral, Merlin, Peregrine, Prairie and Aplomado, (the Falcons), then the Sharp-shin,and Coopers Hawk , (the Accipiters), and White-tailed Kite, Swallow-tail Kite, Hook-billed Kite and the Mississippi Kite, and then the others Vultures, Ospreys, Caracara, Northern Harrier, Anhinga and White Pelicans. So there is a lot to learn and remember.

The migration peaks the end of March to the 1st of April. I think Ken may extend our stay so he can try and see the big migration of thousands of Broadwing Hawks coming across the Mexican border.

All these classes started with a happenstance stop at SANWR one Monday when we drove over to see the Butterfly Park and it was closed.

The weather this weekend turned cold and drizzly, 55 degrees feels cold after 85 degrees. Monday the temp returns to the 80's so sitting out on a levey will be a nice way to enjoy the sun again.