January Raptor Run

[anneg...@gmail.com]

We ran the run back to back with the CBC so had two full days of birding. Good times! Run was completed by Bob Hunter, Janet Kelly and Anne Goff on January 4.

The Red-tailed Hawks made a comeback after a dismal December. Also, we got to add the Osprey, which is a first for me on a winter run (perhaps other runners got one in the past). A real highlight was once again seeing the beautiful partially leucistic Red-tailed Hawk on Agate Road (between Linn and Mountain View.) This time it was soaring with two other Red-Tails and a Golden Eagle. We also found the reliable Ferruginous Hawk on Ramsey Road, posing prettily on his preferred post. However, we were completely skunked on accipiters and the Burrowing Owl seems to have disappeared from Brophy Road. Perhaps he got rained out as the fields there were super soaked. 

Final count:

Red-tailed Hawk: 82

American Kestrel: 53

Northern Harrier: 7

Bald Eagle: 2 adults

Golden Eagle: 2

Red-shouldered Hawk: 3

Ferruginous Hawk: 1

Merlin: 1

Peregrine Falcon: 1

Osprey: 1

Happy birding.

Anne