Sounds like a great day!
Just some anecdotal info some may be interested in based on BLM's annual
Winter Bald Eagle (BAEA) survey (state-wide effort) and annual Winter
Raptor survey (an effort started by ODFW in the late 1980s and BLM took it
over and has continued through the years). We run the BAEA survey during
the second week in Jan and the route starts on North Bank Road on the Glide
end and continues along the river until we reach the 138 and 38 hwy
junction in Elkton. And about one week later we conduct our Winter Raptor
Survey route which starts on Clarks Branch Road (south of Green) and heads
towards Glide along Roberts Creek Road to Buckhorn Road to Little River
Road... then along Hwy 138 west to North Bank Road to Hwy 99 north and ends
at first Sutherlin exit. North Bank Road is where our two survey routes
overlap - the BAEA survey on this part of the route is conducted in the
morning and the Raptor survey of this part of the route is done in the
afternoon. Based on trends over the years, we almost always observe more
eagles (of both species) along North Bank Road in the afternoon soaring in
the skies and usually along the ridges. Typically in the morning along
North Bank Road we almost always observe bald eagles perched rather than in
the air. And rarely do we see golden eagles in the morning hours.
However, the exception is at the start of the BAEA survey... we park just
north of the first bridge over the North Umpqua River on the Glide end of
North Bank Road. Looking towards the north northeast (towards Mt Scott), we
usually have several eagles in the air or perched along the ridges above
and behind the sanitation facility. On several occasions we have observed
at least 10+ eagles (golden and/or bald) at once in one morning at this
location.
Another observation made overall for both routes this year... was we did
observe less raptors (with the exception of eagles) on both routes.
Especially along the North Bank Road... numbers of red-tailed hawks alone
were down. We also didn't get the species diversity typical of an average
day on either the route. Our other species (not including eagles and
red-tails) summarized for both routes combined were only a few kestrels,
one coopers hawk, and a couple of red-shouldered hawks. Usually get kites,
several accipters and falcon species, and tons of red-tailed hawks.
None the less... always a fun and relaxing two days away from the
computer/office. :O)
For the Birds,
*Liz*
*Elizabeth I. Gayner*
*OR/WA BLM Peregrine Falcon Technical Coordinator*
*Lead Wildlife Biologist - Swiftwater Field Office*
Bureau of Land Management - Roseburg District Office
Phone: (541) 464-3381; egayner@xxxxxxx
On Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 7:59 PM, Stacy Burleigh <stacymb13@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
This past Saturday, January 28th, nine people joined Elva and Dale Paulson
for a funfilled day of scoping raptors and sharing the love of the
outdoors! It started slow at Ford's pond when fog only illuminated 1
Red-tailed hawk, but sightings increased as the day progressed. The cold
temperatures and lack of wind kept the birds perched or only flying short
distances. The majority of the birds were best seen through scopes, other
than the Red-shouldered hawk at Plat I who flew back and forth between a
thick, low tree branch and the grass where it was snatching up earthworms!
From Plat I we drove along N. Bank Rd, stopping at the North Bank
Management area for lunch and finishing off in Glide.
Here is the list of what we saw: (Dale was relieved that we were not
skunked as he and Elva had been the day before!)
9 Bald eagles (1 juvenile)
6 Red-tailed hawks
1 Cooper's hawk
1 Red-shouldered hawk
1 American kestral
1 Peregrine falcon.
Thank you Dale and Elva! It was enjoyable spending the day with such an
enthusiatic and appreciative group.
Stacy Burleigh
Umpqua Valley Audubon