[Douglbirds] Migrating Raptors (long and possibly boring)

[KarenSMetz at cs.com]

Glenn has provided thoughtful, observant and excellent comments.  Thank you.

Indeed, on our regular raptor watches near the canyon through Castlewood SP, 
we have witnessed the obvious migrants that are on a direct path and resident 
raptors that appear, disappear, and reappear whenever travelers come through.  
These Red-tailed Hawk residents often engage in "sky dancing" during these 
intervals from resting and waiting.   The sky dance (where one hawk flies a bit 
higher than the second hawk with its legs extends down, and then the two hawks 
exchange positions) is a choreography to be enjoyed by human observers. This 
dance reinforces pair bonding.   

On our raptor watches, we follow a protocol for 10-minute observations at 
designated locations and I continue to marvel that during our brief presence 
every ten-to-twelve days we witness so many raptors.  Our routine numbers are some 
two dozen between 9:30 and noon; not bad for seven stops of ten minutes each. 
 After noon, numbers can get even better.  The better days are those when the 
winds are not from a northerly direction.  So check the wind direction 
projections in the weather forecast (the wunderground web site, e.g.,  for 
Franktown/Castle Rock) and try to get out there to experience this raptor migration.  

It's always a learning joy to read Glenn's perspective and advice.   
"possibly boring" Glenn wrote in his subject - if so, I wish to be bored like this 
more often!  Thanks to you, karen

p.s.  Two easily accessed locations for checking the sky above Castlewood 
Canyon State Park are the Homestead parking lot on Castlewood Canyon Road and 
near the kiosk at the west end of the large parking lot near the group picnic and 
events area, off SH83, past the Visitor Center.  Hiking up the East Rim Rock 
trail is even better, but requires some effort and time.   

In a message dated 3/21/2008 5:34:41 PM Mountain Daylight Time, 
gwalbek at comcast.net writes: 
> 
> 
> 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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