Upcoming Opportunities and Possible Field Trips

Hi followers to the IPNRM project. I just wanted to bring some announcements regarding to the project and upcoming opportunities to see some raptors between now and December 31st. Hopefully you can help contribute and attend some of these events.

Ebird Events:
October 19 -- October Big Day -- The fall counterpart to May's Global Big Day, it's where birders observe as many species in one day as possible. I think this will be a great opportunity for us as birders and hawk watchers to take the chance to also find as many species as possible.

Audubon Events:
Most Audubon chapters will provide weekly bird walks and monthly field trips at minimum. These events provide great chances to not only see birds but raptors as well. You can find an Audubon chapter just about any place you go in Washington and if you wish to attend in Oregon, the East Cascades Audubon is your only option. Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) will also provide good chances of seeing lots of raptors so stay tune to those.

Possible IPNRM Field Trips:
Fore Warning!!! These field trips are not confirmed!

I think it will be a great idea that I take the members of this project to a certain location once a month for the next three months to go looking for raptors as a group. It should be a great chance for us to meet one another and get to know each other better. However, I have limited transportation methods so I'm afraid that as much as I want to lead these trips, I may not make it in reality and these field trips could be cancelled. However, if I do happen to be able to do it, here are the dates and places I'm intending on going.

October 25 or 26 -- Steen Mountains, Oregon -- The Steen Mountains are a perfect place to go raptor watching, especially at the time I listed. The plan would be not only explore the Steen Mountains but surrounding areas as well in Harney and Malheur Counties in Oregon. We should expect to see plenty of Red-tailed Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, eagles of both species and Prairie Falcons. More details to come if I can attend.

November 15 or 16 -- Blue Mountain Loop, Oregon/Washington -- Colder weather means possible snow finding but also great raptor findings in foothills. My plan for this trip is to likely start in La Grande and we work our way around the Blue Mountains going through Walla Walla, Clarkston and finally ending in Enterprise, Oregon. Species should include Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Merlins, accipiters and perhaps a Northern Goshawk.

December Friday or Saturday that doesn't conflict with CBC -- Columbia River Bend, Washington -- December raptor watching Walla Walla County is my favorite. Our trip will start in either Umatilla or Walla Walla County and we'll work our way upright. We'll continue on the Franklin County side of the Snake River to Lyons Ferry and work downriver on the Walla Walla side. Species include plenty of Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Harlan's Hawks, Northern Saw-whet Owls and Long-eared Owls.

And those are my plans. As I said, these field trips may not become reality because of my traveling conflictions. I am willing to pass on trip leadership if that happens and the birders are committed to going out as a group. You can state your opinions below and I'll make a final decision on these possible field trips.

Publicado el lunes, 30 de septiembre de 2019 a las 05:21 AM por birdwhisperer birdwhisperer

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