[birding] Raptor circus at prairie overlook at Finley NWR / other

[Steve Seibel]

I stopped by the prairie overlook at Finley NWR for a bit this afternoon
(Dec 23) -  within 20 minutes I had spotted a wide variety of species.  I
was surprised to see that two Red-shouldered hawks were present.  They were
very active and vocal, harassing several other birds including one of the
Rough-legged hawks.  Both a light-morph and dark-morph Rough-legged hawk
were present.  A Red-tailed hawk joined in the fun, harassing one of the
Red-shouldered hawks and then one of the Rough-legged hawks.  A bunch of
harriers were also present, one of which was quite vocal.  I spotted two
White-tailed kites in the distance and then one (probably different) much
closer; and just as I observed on my last visit, it made several passes at
the dark-morph Rough-legged hawk, what a beautiful interaction.  Two adult
Bald eagles flew by in the far distance.  A kestrel flew by too.  All in all
a great chance to compare sizes, flight styles, and voices.

A few days ago (around the 19th) I watched a Peregrine just north of
Tangent.  On visits to Peterson Butte (SW of Lebanon) on Dec 13, 16, and 21,
I saw 3-5 Bald eagles each visit-- 3 flew close behind my hang glider on the
21st, and one flew in close formation with my little radio-controlled glider
on the 16th, talons lowered.  On the 13th I also saw a Merlin perched along
a road about a mile south of Peterson Butte.
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