Raptor Migration 2013 Update 6

May 4th, 2013

We had our biggest weekly count with 401 raptors. All species are still migrating, and we added the first broad-wing hawk of the season. Our species diversity was high this week.

Accipiter numbers doubled from last week. Adults are still moving, and we saw an increase in immature birds starting to migrate.

The numbers of other raptors were similar to last week, with the exception of the rough-legged hawk. We saw twice as many this week, which seems late for this arctic breeder that over-winters in our region.

Warm weather is forecast, but so are mostly sunny skies. Raptors are hard to locate against a depth-less, blue sky. Many migrants are missed on days like that. Partly sunny with some clouds are ideal.

Non-raptor migrants this week include American white pelicans, Sandhill cranes, and the common loon. The first yellow-rumped and orange-crowned warblers were noted at the ranch this week.

With the exception of one snowy morning, we had near-normal temperatures this week.

Raptor Counts: May 2, 2013
Species	Week Total 4/26-5/2	Total
Turkey Vulture	25	163
Osprey	22	68
Bald Eagle	3	50
Northern Harrier	32	113
Sharp-shinned Hawk	86	183
Cooper's Hawk	45	131
Northern Goshawk	1	9
Broad-winged Hawk	4	4
Red-tailed Hawk	46	417
Rough-legged Hawk	30	191
Swainson's Hawk	6	20
Ferruginous Hawk	3	5
Golden Eagle	14	120
American Kestrel	45	130
Merlin	2	9
Peregrine Falcon	2	6
Prairie Falcon	3	6
Unknown Accipiter	15	37
Unknown Buteo	4	46
Unknown Falcon	1	1
Unknown Eagle	0	4
Unknown Raptor	12	42
Total:	401	1755

About the Author

Eric 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.