NoPo Winter Raptor Survey #1
This week I completed my first winter raptor survey for the season in Portland. It's not as flashy as my old Gilliam County routes with their Golden Eagles and abundance of Roughies, but I don't even have to leave my 5MR to start! Plus it takes me to so many places I used to bird A LOT, starting with my old patch, Mays Lake.
Normally I just scan the trees here but on this day I decided to see what the duck scene was like. I'm so glad I did because my 5MR year bird #154 was in there!
Canvasback!
It was a good start even though it was not a raptor. I drove the route down Airport Way to 82nd to Alderwood to Cornfoot. I pulled over to check the slough at NE 55th and my first Cooper's Hawk of the day was perched in a tree.
After checking Airtrans Way I stopped at Whitaker Ponds and did a quick stationary count that included my first Bald Eagle of the day.
One of the best areas of my survey is along Marine Drive by the airport, but there is nowhere to pull over so I'…
Normally I just scan the trees here but on this day I decided to see what the duck scene was like. I'm so glad I did because my 5MR year bird #154 was in there!
Canvasback!
It was a good start even though it was not a raptor. I drove the route down Airport Way to 82nd to Alderwood to Cornfoot. I pulled over to check the slough at NE 55th and my first Cooper's Hawk of the day was perched in a tree.
After checking Airtrans Way I stopped at Whitaker Ponds and did a quick stationary count that included my first Bald Eagle of the day.
One of the best areas of my survey is along Marine Drive by the airport, but there is nowhere to pull over so I'…
