>> Biologists will survey Washington for Ferruginous Hawks in early May.
>The timing of the aerial and ground-based surveys is meant to coincide with
>the greatest likelihood of nests being occupied by incubating hawks. Earlier
>visits to nesting areas may cause hawks to abandon their site. (This is not
>meant as a reproach of the observers quoted above; it is simply echoing a
>widespread concern among biologists familiar with the species' behavior.)
> Please take care when visiting territories of Ferruginous Hawks and
>other species that are sensitive to disturbance. Use your vehicle as a
>blind; resist the urge to approach nests on foot. Delay visits until hawk
>pairs have invested time in their clutch or brood.

Thank you for the faith you had in us as mentioned above.

Neither of the nests was approached. The first sighting (when mating
occurred) was observed from afar. From the base of a cliff (along the
roadside) we saw two birds fly over after we were already there. One hawk
was chased off by another and the victor then mated with a third hawk at the
top of the ridge. If they did that, they probably weren't disturbed. We
were very lucky to be in the spot both before they arrived and during the
whole episode.

The second nest was observed from a car, from a quiet yet traveled roadside.
No approach of the nest was made. If fact, it is not possible to approach
without trespassing onto government property. The fact that these birds
were not seen later may simply mean that the birds were off hunting (not
ready to incubate).

Your warnings are valid and important to remember. Thank you.


Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland, WA
wlafra at oneworld.owt.com