Big Days at the End of Fall Raptor Migration

What a fantastic fall raptor migration! This fall we counted 212 more raptors than last fall. Our red-tail hawk numbers nearly matched our 2011 total, making up 32% of raptors counted. Rough-legged hawk numbers jumped up four times higher than 2011. The 25 broad-winged hawks might be the highest among Montana raptor sites. The hawk-owl that buzzed our observation site on September 21^st will remain an exciting memory for all in attendance.

We pushed the end date back one week due to a record high count of 218 on November 7^th, one day before the scheduled finish date. It was also the eve of a major weather disturbance that lasted two days, and when it cleared we had another big day on November 10^th with 104. When an arctic front pushes southward MPG Ranch seems to get big migratory events. We witnessed a similar event at the end of last years fall count. The large raptors that were either coming from the far north, or just taking their time moving south, became persuaded by the cold front. When a late season storm like this shrouds the mountain ridges, has a north wind, and leaves a line of sun along the Bitterroot valley, the results are a raptor highway. Red-tail hawks, rough-legged hawks, golden eagles, and bald eagles, made up 87% of all raptors counted in the last two weeks of surveys.

Thank you Cherin Chapman and Daniel Harrington for their keen eyes and great company during the long, and smoky, season. Also, thank you Adam Shreading and William Blake of Raptor View Research.