
Spring Raptor Migration Update- Week 5
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Cold weather has passed, for now. A warming trend started on April 23, and raptor numbers picked up. South winds accompanied this change in weather and brought a surge of accipiters, kestrels, and osprey. Twice this week we counted 13 species pass overhead. We had our biggest day of the season on April 25, with 127 birds. Ferruginous hawks were observed this week.
We counted 11 Swainson’s hawks this week, bringing our total near an all-time high. Our accipiter numbers have been low. Weather may have delayed their migration, but numbers trended up on the last two days. We noted osprey flying high overhead with determination. American kestrels wasted little time hunting along their way. We look forward to warm weather and a good flight next week.
We observed numerous non-raptor migrants this week. Our first white-throated swift, savannah sparrows, and American pipits flew low over the Baldy foothills. Snow geese and Sandhill cranes are still moving, and many swallows are migrating.
A sharp-shinned hawk passes overhead. Rusty barring on the chest indicates an adult. The long tail and short wings of accipiters are distinct.
Raptor Counts: April 25, 2013 |
||
Species |
Week Total 4/19-4/25 |
Total |
Turkey Vulture |
21 |
138 |
Osprey |
37 |
46 |
Bald Eagle |
6 |
47 |
Northern Harrier |
27 |
81 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk |
45 |
97 |
Cooper's Hawk |
42 |
86 |
Northern Goshawk |
1 |
8 |
Broad-winged Hawk |
0 |
0 |
Red-tailed Hawk |
33 |
371 |
Rough-legged Hawk |
19 |
161 |
Swainson's Hawk |
11 |
14 |
Ferruginous Hawk |
2 |
2 |
Golden Eagle |
13 |
106 |
American Kestrel |
48 |
85 |
Merlin |
0 |
7 |
Peregrine Falcon |
3 |
4 |
Prairie Falcon |
0 |
3 |
Unknown Accipiter |
10 |
22 |
Unknown Buteo |
6 |
42 |
Unknown Falcon |
0 |
0 |
Unknown Eagle |
0 |
4 |
Unknown Raptor |
6 |
30 |
Total: |
330 |
1354 |

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.
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