Hi Everyone,

I repeated the North Columbia Basin (Grant Co.) raptor survey on Friday, Dec.21 (last run on Nov 15). [The 86 mile route includes portions of Dodson, White Trails, Frenchman Hills, Adams and Martin Roads].

A total of 66 raptors of seven species were recorded. (For comparison, the Nov. 15 numbers are in parenthesis):

Northern Harrier 13 (4)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (0)
Red-tailed Hawk 34 (23)
Rough-legged Hawk 1 (2)
American Kestrel 15 (22)
Prairie Falcon 0 (3)
Merlin 1 (2)
Northern Shrike 1 (1)

Total 66 (57)

Survey conditions were clear sky, light NE winds (1-4 mph), 34 degrees F, and no snow cover.

It appears most of the Rough-legged Hawks remain at higher elevations likely due to lack of deep snow cover in Douglas and northern Grant Cos.

Ron Friesz
Ephrata
rfriesz AT televat.com