[Douglbirds] Red-tailed hawk Migration/ Castlewood Canyon

[KarenSMetz at cs.com]

Between 9:30 and about noon this morning we watched as 17 Red-tailed Hawks 
flew northerly on winds aloft through and above Castlewood Canyon.  Three, 
including one Harlan's RTHA, flew low into the canyon while most others stayed 
higher, especially after 10 AM .  

The resident pair of Red-tails on the west side of the park came out only to 
tangle with a pair of Common Ravens, also nesters in that area.  The foursome 
engaged twice, for several minutes each time, in noisy aerial contact 
skirmishes.  The Red-tails flew with legs down, flipped over and then upward at the 
ravens.  Exciting to observe.

Other raptors included a pair of American Kestrels and one Golden Eagle,  
plus two Sharp-shinned/Cooper's accipiters in migration.  We also saw a magpie 
and a Sharpie tangling with each other.  

Singing passerines included Canyon Wren, Song Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, 
and several Mountain and Western bluebirds were cheerily passing the day.  


Karen Metz & Merrye McGilvray
Franktown
   
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