Raptor Alley Trip #2 Results/Nunn

[The "Nunn Guy"]

Hi all

Fantastic turnout for this trip--over two dozen folks met at Honey's Cafe aka Nunn Cafe for breakfast and later raptors.  Honey's Cafe very much appreciates birder patronage.  Friday night the day looked "iffy" for raptors with winds expected at 20+mph.  Luckily in the morning the winds were only 5-10mph--afternoon was a another story ... :-( ... 20+mph winds.  The southern half (morning) was excellent for raptors--the northern half skunked the group sans two birds I have found on the way home hanging on for dear life in blustery conditions.

Highlight experiences included my "plant" bird, Merlin, who was in usual location wrong side of road though-ha ha!  Also, folks got to see Ferruginous take a prairie dog with the Merlin watching the activity.  A pair of Great Horneds hunkered in a tree close to the road offered great views.

Total birds:  35 (33 south of Weld CR 100)

Northern Harrier - 6
Red-tailed Hawk - 10
Ferruginous Hawk - 9
Bald Eagle - 3
Great Horned Owl - 3
Merlin - 1 (my "plant" bird)
American Kestrel - 1
UNID hawk - 1
UNID falcon - 1

No Roughies or Goldens surprisingly but not unexpected with wind.  American Kestrel REAL LOW considering I see double-digit almost every trip.

Fun trip--looking forward to next one in February.

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn
http://coloradobirder.ning.com/
Mobile:  http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m