[birding] Eagles and other raptors soaring at Peterson Butte and elsewhere

[Steve Seibel]

In the early afternoon today (Feb 14) I had a great view of 3 Bald Eagles
(various ages), 3 Red-tailed hawks, and a raven all climbing together in a
thermal in the unstable showery airmass. They were just north of highway 34
somewhere between Corvallis and I-5.

Lately, Bald Eagles (of various ages) have been common at and near Peterson
Butte (about 4 miles SW of Lebanon), especially when the south wind blows.
I was flying my hang glider there on Feb 8 and Feb 9 and had at least 5 in
the air near me on each day.  I got some nice air-to-air photos.  On Feb 8 a
Rough-legged hawk was also present, and on Feb 9 I got a brief look at an
adult Peregrine falcon harassing 2 Red-tailed hawks.

Lately, I've often seen a Rough-legged hawk near the parking lot on the
small hilltop along Bruce road at Finley refuge.  My last such sighting was
on my last visit on February 6.

This is old news by now, but I had a really nice sighting of a perched
Red-Shouldered hawk at McFadden marsh at Finley NWR back on January 23, and
a soaring Red-shouldered hawl interacting with a soaring Red-tailed hawk
along McFarland Road at the edge of Finley NWR back on January 22.

Good birding to all
Steve Seibel
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