I've been driving my visiting godfather from Venezuela on a photographic raptor tour of the area over the last three days. Yesterday we concluded with an overall success rate of 100%.
-- On Wed. 3/20 we drove north along the Weld/Boulder county line to Panama Res. where we found at least 8 Bald Eagles. Also of note where 13 AW Pelicans, plenty of pintails, a Say's Phoebe and a single male Pheasant. We continued north and west towards Lyons. At Rabbit Mountain we came across a flock of >75 Mountain bluebirds. On US 36 between Ute Hwy 66 and Hygiene Rd. we had a soaring adult Golden Eagle that after gaining altitude, started cruising east at great speed. On Hygiene Rd. north of Foothills Res. we found what would be the only Ferruginous Hawk of the trip. Also, a flyby, FOY, Osprey and close looks at a N. Harrier. A little further west, an active Bald Eagle nest is visible from the road.
On Thu. 3/21 a quick drive to Eldorado Canyon produced a very high Golden Eagle. Also adult baldies were moving north, presumably in migration? No Prairie Falcons have been seen nesting this season. Otherwise quiet but for a few Steller's and Townsend's Solitaires.
Finally, yesterday Fri. 3/22 took us west on Baseline and then south to Barr Lake SP, the DIA Owl Loop and then across towards Red Rocks/Morrison. Along Baseline Rd, just east of Hwy 76 there's another active Bald Eagle nest. A shrike was hunting nearby by did not allow good looks for ID. On E 152 Rd and Edna Dr. there's a nesting Great Horned Owl. At Barr Lake we found our only 2 Rough-legged Hawks. The DIA loop was much deprived of raptors but for a few Red-tails, a couple of baldies and harriers; strong winds and high noon sun certainly didn't help.
At Red Rocks, we did find our only Prairie Falcon, sitting on the west face of Park Cave Rock as described by Mike Henwood earlier. Our last stop was the Golden Eagle's nest on Bear Creek Rd. The female was sitting on the nest and only her head was visible at times. Around 4pm the male approached the nest but did not stop and continued soaring west for a nice ending to our tour.
A few final notes: Red-tails are very active with several courtship and territorial displays, at least two copulating pairs and plenty sitting near nests. We managed only a single Harlan's (to be confirmed) on Hwy 52 and Co Ro 5. (Weld). We got at least 2 Cooper's and one Sharp-shinned, with many other views of accipiters who seem to be very active and flying high and in the open. We couldn't find any Swainson's and had to work hard for that one Ferruginous and the Rough-legged pair. The change of guard is underway!
Northern Goshawk was something only to dream for...
Happy trails and stay warm!
Luis (Beto) Matheus
Erie
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