Annual Hawk Migration through the Keys

Osprey in flight - photo by Ted Keyel

The Florida Keys Hawkwatch (FKH) has been monitoring the migration of birds of prey through the Keys for more than a decade and is crucially important in assessing population trends for 16 raptor species en-route to the Caribbean. Based at Curry Hammock State Park, it is the southern-most migration monitoring site in the US and holds the world record for daily Peregrine Falcon count. FKH is currently under the auspices of the Tropical Audubon Society and is a key component of the Raptor Population Index through the Hawk Migration Association of North America.
The team will be using KML as home base again this year. Follow their blog for daily sightings this season at:
http://floridakeyshawkwatch.wordpress.com/

Coral Spawning Encore

DJ on his first seawater run aboard KML's R/V Diodon

Rachael is a seasoned pro at collecting clean reef water for rearing the anticipated baby coral

It's that time of year again! And after the August Blue Moon, to boot! During the first week in September, Dr. Mary Alice Coffroth, professor at  University of Buffalo, is organizing a team to capture the annual spawning event of the Boulder Coral, Montastrea faveolata, in the Middle Keys. Follow their antics and activities on their blog.
http://spawning2012.blogspot.com/