[Tweeters] More Migrating TuVus ... (Jim Betz via Tweeters)

[Jim Betz via Tweeters]

All,

   It was not my intent to say "Mary, you are wrong." - and I don't even 
think my
message said that.  But some feel that it did so that's on me.  Mea culpa.

   What I -was- trying to say is that for birds such as TUVU - who go 
this way and
that way on any given day/on any given day of the year - and who do not 
move in
large flocks like, for example, Snow Geese - their direction of travel 
during any
particular observation doesn't relate  well to whether or not they are 
"migrating".
   Yes, TUVU migrate.  And that happens at this time of year.

   I -have- seen TUVU in migration.  That was in Veracruz, Mexico and 
they were
clearly participating in the behavior of many soaring birds ... circling 
in a stack
("kettle") and then peeling off at the top of the stack and gliding 
towards the
next thermal.  I have not seen TUVU doing this here in the PNW - perhaps 
due to
the different climate/geography?  Yes, there are thermals here in the 
PNW - and
yes, I've seen TUVU using them to gain altitude.  I just haven't 
observed them
using method in any way that I would call "migration".  The kettles in 
Veracruz
are "a sight to behold" - several different species all using the same 
thermal(s)
to gain altitude and then to glide to the next thermal and do it all 
over again.

Mary, it was never my intent to criticize you - I was simply trying to 
help with
"identifying what is/is not migration behavior".  I apologize if you 
took it as a
criticism.
                                                            - Jim in Skagit