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Raptor Migration 2013 Update 7
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We counted 343 raptors this week. Our season total is now 2098. Temperatures were above average, and skies were blue. Despite some north winds and cloud-less skies, there was a consistent flight. The first 2-3 hours in the morning were busy, as Mt. Baldy produced quick thermals. As the day progressed the flight became high and distant.
We are near the end of migration. Immature birds are moving through the area now. Young sharp-shinned hawks were passing in small groups. They accounted for nearly a third of our total this week. The red-tailed hawks we observed were also immature. There was a noticeable decrease in rough-legged hawks and ospreys.
We anticipate a slow decline of migrants in our last week of counts. We may have a few good days left. In general, all species of migrant birds seem to be a week late. As the rest of the small passerine species arrive, so will the birds that prey on them. Juvenile accipiters will, most likely, be the last of the hawks to finish out our season.
American white pelicans rise from the floodplain. Like raptors, they use thermals to migrate.
Raptor Counts: May 9, 2013 |
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Species |
Week Total 5/3-5/9 |
Total |
Turkey Vulture |
36 |
199 |
Osprey |
9 |
77 |
Bald Eagle |
1 |
51 |
Northern Harrier |
26 |
139 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk |
104 |
287 |
Cooper's Hawk |
35 |
166 |
Northern Goshawk |
0 |
9 |
Broad-winged Hawk |
7 |
11 |
Red-tailed Hawk |
43 |
460 |
Rough-legged Hawk |
6 |
197 |
Swainson's Hawk |
9 |
29 |
Ferruginous Hawk |
1 |
6 |
Golden Eagle |
7 |
127 |
American Kestrel |
26 |
156 |
Merlin |
0 |
9 |
Peregrine Falcon |
0 |
6 |
Prairie Falcon |
0 |
6 |
Unknown Accipiter |
20 |
57 |
Unknown Buteo |
8 |
54 |
Unknown Falcon |
1 |
2 |
Unknown Eagle |
0 |
4 |
Unknown Raptor |
4 |
46 |
Total: |
343 |
2098 |
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About the AuthorEric Rasmussen
Eric received a B.S. in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana in 2000, and soon after volunteered for his first bird research job in the arctic tundra of Alaska. Afterwards he worked for nine years, mostly in western Montana, on bird-related research projects for the U.S. Forest Service.
In 2010, Eric was hired by MPG Ranch as the Bird Research Technician and now conducts breeding bird surveys, raptor migration surveys, and winter bird surveys, as well as participating in other ranch projects such as owl and raptor banding and community field trips. In his free time, Eric enjoys searching for wild mushrooms, playing ultimate Frisbee, and backcountry skiing.
In 2010, Eric was hired by MPG Ranch as the Bird Research Technician and now conducts breeding bird surveys, raptor migration surveys, and winter bird surveys, as well as participating in other ranch projects such as owl and raptor banding and community field trips. In his free time, Eric enjoys searching for wild mushrooms, playing ultimate Frisbee, and backcountry skiing.