[birding] Central Benton Co. Raptor Run results

[Marcia F.Cutler]

Jan Landau and I did the central Benton County raptor run yesterday, Dec. 12, 2009.  The weather was cloudy but dry and temperatures were in the 40s.  However many small streams and wetlands were still frozen over.  Even Cabell Marsh (Finley NWR) only had a small open area of water.

Overall the number of raptors was down considerably from the previous December.  However, there was a large, probably record number of Bald Eagles and also 2 Red-shouldered Hawks (uncommon so far on this route).  We saw a large, very light raptor just west of the old Headquarters at Finley, but it was quickly chased out of sight by a Red-tailed Hawk and we were unable to confirm whether it was a Gyrfalcon.  Jan noted that it had a darker cap to the head and my impression was that the back was gray-colored.  The undersides of the wings were white and the wings were pointed like a falcon, the breast and belly were also quite light and the tail was long.

Here are the results - last December's numbers are in brackets

Red-tailed Hawk - 30 [37]
American Kestrel - 20 [24]
Northern Harrier - 3 [14]
Bald Eagle - 7 Adults [1], 2 Immature [0]
Rough-legged Hawk - 2 [8]
Red-shouldered Hawk - 2 [0]
White-tailed Kite - 1 [1]
Peregrine Falcon - 2 [0]
Merlin - 1 [0]
[Prairie Falcon -1]
Large raptor - 2
Buteo sp. - 1

A comparison of several of the roads really illustrates where the numbers of raptors were less

Airport Rd - 5 [10]
Llewellyn Rd - 4 [6]
Greenberry Rd - 8 [19]


Marcia F. Cutler
Corvallis