Jen,
As you know, Carol Karlen & I did the Gilliam County raptor routes for many
years. We routinely saw the Wild Turkeys just south of Lonerock -- in
numbers like you describe. They were typically in the field by the creek or
up on the fringe of the woods. They are not domestic turkeys.
Also, as you describe, this is a route that does not get lots of birds per
mile. Instead, it gets many miles per bird. Nonetheless, it is fun to do.
As I wrote you privately, I'm not surprised by marmots at the elevation of
Lonerock.
Good birding,
Paul Sullivan
----------------------------------------
Subject: Gilliam County ECAS Feb Raptor Runs
Date: Fri Feb 26 2016 9:20 am
From: jjsanford AT gmail.com
Hi all,
Yesterday I completed the Gilliam County South raptor survey for February.
Only 26 birds total, primarily Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks as
expected, with a sprinkling of American Kestrels and one Prairie Falcon.
Say's Phoebes have inundated the area since my last visit two weeks ago.
Of note, there was a large flock of turkeys (52 at least) also in Lonerock
(next to THE lone rock). They appeared wild to me, but this is not an
expected number of turkeys in this area. Do people keep Wild Turkeys or
are there domesticated turkeys that look much like wild ones?
On the road out of Lonerock at 2800 feet I encountered a yellow-bellied
marmot, which I have never seen at an elevation lower than 6000 feet. What
can you all tell me about low elevation marmots? I am excited to know
they can be found in more places but am curious where else folks have seen
them.
From Hale Ridge Road a herd of elk was visible on the next ridge. I have
assumed the elk here to be of the Rocky Mountain subspecies but would love
to have this verified.
I did the Gilliam North raptor survey two weeks ago which had two fewer
birds but better diversity. I had primarily Red-tailed and Rough-legged
Hawks, only two kestrels, several harriers, a couple Prairie Falcons, a
Cooper's Hawk, a Great Horned Owl, and the best bird, a Ferruginous Hawk.
This bird was on the corner of Bunker Hill Road and Baseline Road perched
on an irrigation device.
Photos from yesterday, including the turkeys and marmot start here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/...
The FEHA from two weeks ago can be seen on my eBird checklist here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27418451
Good birding (and mammal-ing),
Jen Sanford
Portland
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