Today we did our Culver Raptor Route in overcast skies with temps from
39-43* and brisk winds. Attached is one shot of a Red-tail having
breakfast. It took quite a while as it couldn't swallow the gopher (?)
whole and had some trouble separating it into bite-sized pieces. I'm
not sure he/she even saw us on the road. It finally flew off with a
large piece of left-overs. I remember as a child in grade school
singing a song as follows and fits the situation-- Great big gobs of
greasy, grimy gopher guts, yadda, yadda.
The two Prairie Falcons were residents in their own neighborhoods about
two miles apart. I think this is the lowest number we have had on this
route. Kei is wondering if the change of crops has anything to do with
this? Are there any other routes having lower than usual counts? Many
of the farmers on this route have switched to growing hemp this year.
Kevin
17 Red-tail Hawks
11 American Kestrels
3 Northern Harriers-2 males, 1 female
4 Rough-legged Hawks
2 Prairie Falcons
37 Total birds-lowest ever on this route
Attachment:
Red-Tailed Hawk A17553-1.jpg
Description: JPEG image
