ML123211301

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

First spotted about 5 PM (time based memory and photo time stamps) and watched for a total of approximately for 25 minutes. We were initially within the refuge near the first kiosk/parking area at the Pool when SWC spotted a very distant soaring Buteo away about 0.72 mi. while scanning huge flocks of grackles, ibis, and some soaring raptors The hawk was clearly N of refuge boundary and E of Illinois Plant Rd. To get a better look we drove back to the entrance then north on Illinois Plant Rd to where the vegetation was not too tall and we could scope to the E. SWC relocated the soaring hawk now about 0.6 mi. to our ENE where it was still very distant. We watched it soar for awhile until it did a stoop and when it did not reappear we drove in its direction N to the first gravel road extending E, and on that (with permission) for about 1/2 a mi. to a newly cut rice field on our right (south side of road). DLD spotted the hawk sitting on the ground about 100-200 m away to the SSE. This is where we got our best views, obtained photos, and documented ID. After a few minutes the bird was flushed and was last seen flying low to the SE. Viewing conditions were good, our field, observations were assisted with 10 X 42 / 10 X 50 Leica binoculars and Kowa 25-60 X telescope. Description: a large light morph juvenile Buteo aged by pale iris, pale thighs, and relatively pale under wing; species ID characters are visible in uploaded photos includes diagnostic combination of feathered tarsi, upper and under wing pattern, tail pattern, head pattern, and large bill/cere with gape extending posteriorly to under the eye; bird did not call. LBRC 2018-086; 22nd Report of the LBRC.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D300S

ISO

200

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/2500 sec

Dimensions

1367 pixels x 1357 pixels

Original file size

170.89 KB