Tweeters and Inlanders:
We struck out in the Fall of '97 trying to take in a Fall raptor
migration at Bridger Basin, MT. We hit the first snow storm of the
season and zero visibility. At least there was a festival with
interesting speakers and displays. Last year we struck out at Diamond
Head, WA : no observers and no raptors. We checked out the driving
distance to Goshutes, NV and decided we did not have enough free time or
the energy to make that long trip. The next day a newsletter came from
Hawk Watch International mentioning their field trip to Goshutes. for
$295 each they would meet us at the SLC airport, drive us to the end of
the road about 150 miles west of SLC and 25 miles south of Wendover, NV.
They would also provide the tent, food, and water. We found a good fare
on the internet from SW airlines, and made the plunge!!!
The 2.5 mile hike with packs on our backs (first time in 30 years) and a
climb of 2000 ft in elevation from 7000 to 9000 was very difficult for us
old timers but would be nothing for young and healthy folks. It took us
4 hours of gasping for breath to make it up to the HWI site the evening
of Oct 1st. It was well worth it though!! No pain no gain. Our first
day of observation was 2 Oct and the count for the day was 342 plus 26
banded. There were 107 sharpies, 82 coops, 60 redtails, 54 kestrels, 15
swainsons, plus a handful each of harriers, goshawk, broadwing, golden
eagles, TV's and peregrines. The highlight was the trapping of the first
golden eagle of the season. The total count as of that date was 11,054
and 851 banded.
The HWI staff was most friendly and helpful in IDing raptors, showing us
the trapped ones, and letting us release them.
The weather was perfect. The next day, Oct 3 the count was 834 raptors
plus 42 banded. There were 286 sharpies, 212 coops, 183 redtails, 81
swainsons, 34 kestrels, and the usual handful of the others mentioned
earlier. The total to date was now 11,888 observed and 893 banded.
Our last day was 4 Oct with 140 sharpies, 120 coops, 67 redtails, 31
kestrels, etc. for a total of 445 for the day with a total to date of
12,333. All in all 1, 621 raptors flew by in our 3 days at the
observation site. it was a once in a lifetime experience for Kathryn and
I. (we are too old to try it again).

We highly recommend this trip to the largest raptor migration site in
West with an average of 17,500 per season. You will have an unforgetable
experience and will be helping out HWI at the same time. Consider
joining this great organization and taking part in some of the other
field trips such as Vera Cruz (our next "dream").

Hans & Kathryn "Katie" Krauss, Spokane, WA two.wing-nuts at juno.com
It's better to be "WNGNUTS" than dead-bolts. (vanity plate)
Kathryn's office: Parish.Nurse at juno.com (M-W)