Sunday, 29 December 2013

[cobirds] raptor surveys, Weld, Boulder, Adams counties

Cobirds:
                About a week of raptor surveys for upcoming tours.  Some data below.  I'm not going to post all the data - way to time consuming.  But hopefully this will give birders some idea what's out there and what the trends are for the eastern front range area.


From yesterday's Walks With Nature tour - Boulder and Weld counties:
Bald eagle - 19
Red tailed hawk - 27
American kestrel - 12
Prairie falcon - 1
Rough legged hawk - 5
Northern harrier - 2
Great horned owl - 1
Notes:  Prairie falcon plucking and devouring a bird, up close and personal.  High concentration of immature bald eagles at Sandbench Ranch Park in Weld County; get there early to see them.   And close looks at several rough-legs in Boulder County.

From December 25th - Boulder and Weld counties, slightly different route:
Red tailed hawk - 7
Ferruginous hawk - 2
Prairie falcon - 2
American kestrel  - 9
Bald eagle - 16
Northern harrier - 1
Rough legged hawk - 5
Notes:  Every kestrel seen was a male.  Bald eagles at close range right along roadsides.

From December 22nd, Boulder County; quick pass through:
American kestrel - 6
Bald eagle - 7
Red tailed hawk - 14

From December 21st:  Boulder, Adams, and Weld county - completely different route from previous mentioned:
Rough legged hawk - 14
Bald eagle - 6
Red tailed hawk - 16
American kestrel - 8
Northern harrier - 1
Ferruginous hawk - 1
Notes:  Again kestrels, all males.  Good numbers of rough legged hawks east of I-25;

Noted trends:  rough-legged hawks are in good numbers this year, especially east of I-25, but are now moving into more westerly regions in Boulder and Adams Counties.
American kestrels are turning out to be 9 males for every 1 female - I have no idea why this is - anyone shed some light on this?
Northern harriers look like they are (sadly) still in decline.
Bald eagles in very good numbers this year, especially lots of immatures.
Ferruginous hawks - in very low numbers this year.  I saw lots more last summer.


Don't miss Gary Lefko's trip to "Raptor Alley".  He always pulls in a lot of good raptors on that trip. 

I intend to do another independent tour again January 4th.  If interested, contact me via email, but don't post to entire Cobirds group, so you don't clog the site.  Thanks.

John T (Tumasonis) of Louisville CO 




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