Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory
Hornsby Bend
CER
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Hornsby Bend is open to the public seven days a week from dawn to dark. Because we are a wastewater facility, all visitors must present an ID at the main gate to enter the site. The Center for Environmental Research building is open 7am-6pm every day, and restrooms are available there. Construction near the ponds continues so please see Location Map and Construction/Access Changes under the Birding Tab to understand where access may be limited.
Check out our Monthly Events under the Events page.
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Hawkwatch Data for 2008
October 22, 2008:
I'm not sure about counting these Ibis. I keep seeing small groups, usually 12-16, fly from the west to the south-east. It may be the same birds, coming in to feed or rest at the ponds or along the river, then heading out to a roost, or they may be passing through. Most of these birds are flying low to begin with, but I have only seen 2-3 actually at the ponds, so I just don't know.
The raptors have all been very high, and moving fast. Locals are still putting on some good performances, though. I had dueling Ospreys for a while today, one to the east and one to the west. The western one had a fish, and the eastern one was "chirping" loudly. The Red-tails had a small convention overhead, with 3 circling and calling before going off in three directions, and one of the Red-shoulders was doing a display where it repeatedly made short, steep dives while screaming.
Other birds are getting very scarce, and not much is coming in. I picked out my first of season Green-winged Teal today, but the Black-necked Stilts are gone, I think. I saw no Stilts today. There are very few shorebirds of any kind right now, a few peeps and Yellow-legs, and 1 Wilson's phalarope were all I saw today. Most of the swallows are gone, also.
I'll be out again tomorrow, still looking for those kites and Broad-wings!
-Peg Wallace