Winter Raptor Surveys
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I conducted the fourth winter raptor survey on January 2, 2011. Blue skies prevailed as did unseasonably warm temperatures. Numbers from all four surveys are similar. Once again a ten mile stretch south of the ranch and east of Stevensville continues to be a 'hot spot'. More than half the total of red-tailed and rough-legged hawks counted, on each of the four surveys, have been observed along this section. Both species of eagles have mostly been spotted on or near the ranch, as well as the prairie falcon and northern harrier. Another pattern that has remained consistent is the lack of raptors along a 10-15 mile section near the end of the survey route. This area is a rural subdivision 3-6 miles just south of the ranch. Open spaces are smaller, human disturbance greater, and raptors are scarce. For each of the four surveys only 1 or 2 raptors have been observed. Below is a summary of the four surveys.
Totals for: 1/2/12 12/20/11 12/8/11 11/28/11
| Red-tailed hawk |
| Rough-legged hawk |
| Bald eagle |
| Golden eagle |
| American kestrel |
| Prarie falcon |
| Merlin |
| Northern harrier |
| Sharp-shinned hawk |
| Coopers hawk |
| Unidentified buteo |
| Totals |
28 |
22 |
31 |
32 |
24 |
21 |
16 |
14 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
66 |
58 |
66 |
59 |
