Posted by Steve Walter on January 01, 1970 at 00:00:00
Kurt, Both species were along Blumberg Road in Hendry co. The Caracaras can be found anywhere along that road, but on this occasion al were concentrated near the northern part of Blumberg. They can also be found along Snake Road / 833. I've found Swainson' s consistently along Blumberg by watching the agricultural burns. I actually had one fly overhead on its way to a distant fire, at which 7 eventually gathered. The others were tallied at other fires. They roam widely, so there could have been overlap. But 13 could be accurate, as two years ago, I observed 15 at once at one of these fires. Vultures (and Caracaras) are also drawn to the fires. It can be a challenge to pick out the Swainson's among the many vultures, especially if the fire is a ways off. And there is smoke to look through. But fun to observe.