Butte Valley Raptor Rally Nov 23 Trip Summary

[rrip...@charter.net]

Hi All !

When I awoke on Saturday morning and looked outside I could see that it had just rained all night, and without snow accumulation, at least here. I wondered if a group that was coming over for the Butte Valley Raptor Rally would venture across the mountains as that road to get over to the Klamath Basin probably received some snow or was icy. i wondered if anyone was going to at least try and bear with the weather to  view raptors.

Leaving Klamath Falls, there was one participant who had decided to endure the weather and  go along, and arriving at Dorris, CA, the group size swelled to about 10!

 

Overall, the day went quite well with views of all the expected birds of prey seen. Those included: Bald and Golden Eagles, Northern Harriers, buteos: Red-tailed Hawk (dozens!), Ferruginous Hawk (around a dozen during the day), Rough-legged Hawk (3), and a single Red-shouldered Hawk. American Kestrels were seen whle  driving, grasping power lines  in the wind, and at least two Prairie Falcons.

 

After leaving Dorris,the group travelled on East Butte Valley Road, but soon encountered the same large bluebird flock in an expansive alfalfa field. Both Western and Mountians were seen with estimates of the entire flock being at least 500  or so. As the flock came closer to the road, it was as if pixels of blue were bouncing about in the field. They have such amazing colors! Back on the road the group went to the Lonesome Dove Ranch, an organic alfalfa farm where there are plenty of ground squirrels for raptors to  prey upon. Ferruginous Hawks were seen on telephone poles,  on the ground, and atop piviot sprinkler lines. There were about 6-7 in that area. A lone adult Bald Eagle sat on top of a juniper triee.There were a few Northern Harriers that cruised through. Only one Red-tailed Hawk was seen. A great treat was seeing a PRAIRIE FALCON from both  the front and back as it sat  on a pivot sprinkler line or suspended pipe. Although it was quite a ways away, Shannon Rio's scope hada  great look for everyone. The good part of that was that it wasn't flying around at lightening speed! A discussion started up. Participants on this trip mentioned that the raptor density at this location has seemed to be noticeably lower than just a few years ago. 

After leaving that location the group just went a short distance to Shady Dell Road where the group scanned a ridge top and power line for the likes of a Golden Eagle. Look up! someone said and with wings tucked, a Golden Eagle  zoomed earthward, and pulling out, glided across the hillside in front of the group. It lit upon  a juniper snag where it was in view for all  to see a bit closer. The wind was picking up, and tempertures already in the 30s, it didn't take long for fingers to lose their grip on things. 

After a break at Macdoel, the gorup headed to Stateline Road and the eastern entrance/exit to the LKNWR tour route. We enjoyed views of both Great Horned Owl and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK ! 

We then traveled into the Oregon side of LKNWR, called the Straits Drain Units (but not travelling north along the actual Straits Drain). Being the lead vehicle has advantages of seeing birds before they fly out of view from the others. The first two Rough-legged Hawks left the field before the group got to see them. We did get to see HORNED LARKS as they sat on the road. They were litterally sitting on the road to escape the increasing wind which was really reducing the group's tolerance of the cold. Onward we pushed and not too much further there was a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK that flew overhead for great views of its underside. It back side was only seen briefly on turns. With the wind really turning its speed up, and the group having seen all of the advertised raptors, the group dispersed. 

However, one more stop along Lower Klamath Lake Road where Golden Eaglesr are often seen soaring. Well no disappointment there! Both an adult and an immature were seen cruising at the ridgetop and above the rabbitbrush vegetation. It was very nice to watch them hunt. The plumage of the two ages were seen,  along with some nice comparisons to Bald Eagles also there, and how just the  larger beak of the Bald Eagle makes for an easily recognizable profile difference.The wings of Bald Eagle appear more centered while the Golden Eagle wings appear slightly more forward of center. WIth Bald Eagles harrassing the waterfowl in flooded fields across the road, we ended the trip.  

Although I was paying attention to the road while driving and looking for birds at stops I was listening to Gaila (not sure about the spelling). She, like many of us, does much of watching birds by oneself. But, her appreciation for birds is unmatched. That appreciation is the primary reason that fieldmarks are noticed.  She was excited to see the immature Golden Eagle, and the small concentrated white spots on its wings and confirming her own correct ID of seeing one at Miller Island. She also mentioned seeing waxwings near her home around Klamath Union HIgh School. Since she's paying close attention to birds, I'm wondering if some of the waxwings could be different than the more common Cedar Waxwings. It might be worth considering Bohemian Waxwings. Her description might be that of the Bohemian Waxwing.

Observations in nature are fun, a way to clear the brain of stuff. And, there are always questions that come up and might need an answe,r or not. Leaving the question and just admiring and being amazed is all one needs some days.

It was a fun day. Hope to see those observers out in the field soon.

 

Kevin Spencer, Klamath Falls