[Douglbirds] Migrating Raptors (long and possibly boring)

[Glenn Walbek]

I am not an expert on migrating raptors.  Karen or Hugh can better fill that bill.  But, I have noticed the higher ground east of the foothills in Douglas County generates enough lift for raptors to use on their trek northward.  During the past couple of days, I have observed Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures riding the updrafts, heading into the wind, traveling approximately 30 to 40 mph towards the north and northwest.  I witnessed this last year and encourage Douglas County bird aficionados to look for this as well.  The lift provided by winds blowing across the topography of DougCo, apparently provides a favorable migration route for these raptors.  

Migrating raptors exhibit a desire to cover ground rapidly, generally from south to north, with as little energy expenditure as possible.  Migrating raptors don't normally fly low, circle around (except to find another updraft) or land.   We have resident and breeding raptors in Douglas County.  However, the birds I am speaking of are on a mission to cover ground, to get where they are going without expending energy.  Often you will see resident raptors (locals) rise up to 'assist' the migrants in vacating their territory.  It is something I observed often while working the hawk watch for RMBO a couple of years ago and see the same thing from my backyard deck in Castle Rock.

During the next month and a half, I expect hundreds if not thousands of migrating raptors will fly over our homes. Cooper's, Sharpies, Goshawks, Red-taileds, Swainson's, Broad-wingeds, and Ferruginous Hawks... Merlins, Kestrels, Peregrines and Prairie Falcons... Ospreys ,Turkey Vultures and Golden Eagles will likely all migrate over DougCo.  Look south after the ground warms up in mid-morning.  Heat and wind are favorable ingredients for the updrafts used by migrating raptors.  The best times are between about 10am and 3 or 4pm.   Cool, cloudy days with little wind are generally not as productive.  Use your binoculars to find, and your scope to ID these birds as they fly north.  And please share your sightings with the listserve.

Glenn Walbek
Castle Rock, CO 
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