5 Spots left, Wintering Raptors Trip, Sun., Jan. 29

[Pam Piombino]

This trip is brought to you by Boulder County Audubon.  Please note that a reservation is necessary.  There are 5 spots left.

Wintering Raptors:  Species, Sub-Species and Conservation Biology

Leader:  Sue Cass

Date:  Sunday, January 29, 2017; snow date Saturday, February 4, 2017

Time:  8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Free:  Limit:  15 in no more than four cars.

Reservations:  sue...@comcast.net

Sue is well known as a Volunteer Naturalist for Boulder County and as one of the best trainers for the multi-year County Winter Raptor Surveys. Please join her for this field trip where the goals are much more than simple identification to species. You will attempt to take all of the Red-tail Hawks down to subspecies by observing definitive plumage variations of Boulder County’s resident Western Race Red-tails, Buteo jamaicensis calurus. Other possible sightings include Ferruginous, Rough-Legged and Harlan’s Hawks, Bald and Golden Eagles, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel and Prairie Falcon as well as the Great Horned Owl.

There will be a discussion of the relevant aspects of raptor ecology, which may include migration patterns, reproductive strategies, Reverse Sexual Dimorphism (RSD), polymorphism, intergradation (subspecific interbreeding and the resultant plumage variations) and conservation.

Meet promptly at 8 a.m. at the parking lot of Lagerman Reservoir, on the south side of Pike Road between 63^rd and 75^th Street.  Wear warm clothing and bring water/snacks, binoculars, spotting scopes, raptor field guides/apps and a sharp eye!