Subject: Fw: Columbia Hills IBA Raptor Survey
Date: Mar 14 11:33:06 2000
From: Wilson E Cady - gorgebirds at juno.com



Wilson Cady
Washougal, WA.
gorgebirds at juno.com

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bonnie White <oakridge at gorge.net>
To: "'Cady, Wilson'" <gorgebirds at juno.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 10:34:46 -0800
Subject: Columbia Hills IBA Raptor Survey
Message-ID: <01BF8DA0.ED6A1760 at pppws154-143.gorge.net>

Late Winter Raptor Survey of the Columbia Hills Important Bird Area
by Stuart Johnston


Two hundred forty-seven raptors were counted on February 5 in the
Columbia Hills Important Bird Area. Eighteen volunteers from the
Columbia Gorge Audubon Society, HawkWatch International's Cascadia
chapter, the Falcon Research Group and friends undertook this survey,
dividing the area into four sections: the north and south slopes were
divided at the hill crest and Hwy 97 and Davies Pass split east from
west. Two parties each covered the northwest and southwest sections
whereas the northeast and southeast sections were covered by one party
each. The IBA's northern boundary is Centerville Hwy and Hoctor Rd., east
to Fenton Lane and Ferguson Road east to Luna Gulch; the Columbia River
is the southern boundary (excluding the Dallesport peninsula south of Hwy
14, but including Horsethief Lake State Park and Spearfish Lake Park);
Rock Creek is the east and Cherry Orchard Trail the west boundary.

In nine hours, from 8:10 a.m. to 5:10 p.m., eleven species were counted:
Bald Eagle 25, N. Harrier 23, Sharp-shinned Hawk 2, Cooper's Hawk 1,
Red-tailed Hawk 91, Ferruginous Hawk 1, Rough-legged Hawk 33, Buteo, sp.
10, Golden Eagle 6, eagle, sp. 1, Am. Kestrel 35, Prairie Falcon 10,
hawk/eagle sp. 7, Great Horned Owl 2.

Dense fog hampered visibility on the northern slope and obscured the top
parts of the lower hills through mid-morning and the upper hills all day
on the south slope. Wind calm to 5 mph; 100% cloud cover; temp. 31 to 42
degrees F. There was a brief early morning spell of light drizzle, at
least in the west end of the hills, at least.

Participants were: Chuck Barker, Marty Drut, Stewart Fletcher, Cathy
Flick, Diane & Roger Gadway, Connie & Tom Herzig, Stuart Johnston, Karen
Jones, Dan Lichtenwald, Roger Orness, Orin Pearson, Steve Rice, Jerry
Sutherland, Sue Thomas, Bonnie & Dennis White.

Last year's late winter survey, held on Feb. 7 with 19 participants in
five parties, tallied 268 raptors of 10 species. The most startling
comparison is with the 1999 total of 65 harriers! And the number of
Golden Eagles surveyed this time is down by half (13 in '99).
Harrier numbers were elevated through the winter of 1998-99 with 57
counted for the 12/12/98 early winter survey. Poor visibility and
relative calm likely affected the golden outcome, as this species is
often observed riding the updrafts along the high hill crest and rims. In
spite of impaired visibility, Bald Eagle (18 in '99), red-tail (70), and
rough-leg (20) numbers were all substantially higher than in 1999. Falcon
totals were similar (38 kestrels in '99) or identical (10 prairies in
'99), except that no peregrines were spotted this year (2 in '99).
Accipiter numbers vary little from count to count, due perhaps to our
survey methodology (poor coverage of wooded areas), and the results this
time were typical.

Finally, a southwest area party was treated to "the star attraction of a
Ferruginous Hawk" (Sue and Marty) far west in the vicinity of Horsethief
Lake State Park. Last winter's Ferruginous Hawks were east of Hwy 97.

Once again thank you to all the participants. Your sharp eyes and
identification skills resulted in a splendid survey despite weather
limitations. Raptorphiles can look forward to the first Spring Raptor
Survey of the Columbia Hills coming up on Saturday, April 15th . Help us
assess spring movement and witness other changes. For some species
breeding activity will already be in full swing, while others will be
newly-arrived or passing through. See you then.