November 12, 2012

Wintering Raptor Season Begins!

The wintering raptor season has officially started!  We (Boulder County Audubon Teen Naturalists) surveyed a route north of Boulder yesterday, and had an excellent morning.  We found a total 32 raptors consisting of 6 different species, plus an additional four that were seen outside of the count protocol.  A Rough-legged Hawk was notably special, as that species has become particularly uncommon in Boulder County in recent years.  Other unusual finds were a flock of 11 pure-white domesticated doves (apparently a dwarf-sized variety of Rock Pigeon) and a very late Greater Yellowlegs at Lagerman Reservoir.

Bald Eagle - 2 (1 immature and 1 adult)
Northern Harrier - 2 adult males
Ferruginous Hawk - 2 (plus 1 extra)
Red-tailed Hawk - 18 (plus 2 extras)
"Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Rough-legged Hawk (dark-morph) - 1
unidentified buteo - 1
American Kestrel - 2 (plus 1 extra)


Immature Bald Eagle - by Marcel Such

Ferruginous Hawk - by Joel Such

Male American Kestrel - by Joel Such

Rough-legged Hawk - by Marcel Such

by Marcel Such

by Marcel Such

by Joel Such