Wind Indicators

One of the hardest things to determine in kiting is whether it is windy enough to venture out.  I'm pretty good at figuring out when it's so windy that I have no business even looking at my kite pump.  But the other end of the spectrum is different, and can get you in to trouble just as easily.  I have learned that the wind report from ikitesurf.com is definitely to be taken with a grain of salt (sometimes a salt lick would be better).  Sometimes the wind can barely flutter a flag and it's reporting 16mph.  And sometimes when it's reporting 10mph, you take a chance, go out anyway and have a fantastic day.

A classic windsurfer's wind telltale is white caps.  Most kiters and windsurfers will tell you that you need white caps on the waves to even think about kiting.  But we have had many dud days already when white caps are present.  Thankfully, since Huguenot is also a bird sanctuary, I have discovered a different anemometer.  

Huguenot is a haven for many birds: laughing gulls, terns, red knots, plovers, and pelicans.  It is truly impressive to be a part of this massive community of birds.  But of course, when humans and animals mix in large numbers, there will be conflict.

The gull  in the middle is being a bully and attacking the poor guy on the ground.

Everyone we have talked to at Huguenot has told us about how 'they' are trying to close the island and turn it into a bird preserve.  I have no idea yet as to who 'they' are.  Some kiters find the birds annoying, some think we should share the park, and some think the land is theirs and we should stick to the water.  Personally, I love the little buggers.  Their mannerisms crack me up.  And moreover, they are actually very helpful.

In a nutshell, when the birdies are all facing solidly upwind, the wind is good to kite.  They apparently don't like to face their butts in to a solid wind because it ruffles their feathers uncomfortably.  This has been my most accurate wind indicator (so named by the most amazing kiter Beth Lygoe) and has kept me from having to buy a ridiculously expensive anemometer.  So.  Not only are they great entertainment, they save me a lot of grief from slogging around with my too small 10m kite.  I adore them, may they live long and prosper.

Example of a bad wind day.  All the birds are a jumbled mess, there is no cohesion.   

This was a very strong wind day.  All birds facing upwind.  

Again, bad wind day.

Two  royal terns.  Sounds like a Christmas song.  

The guy on the left has stanky leg.

Wait, how'd this get here?