Laserfiche WebLink
• MECHODS <br />Prior to initiation of intensive studies all cliffs within the study azea were surveyed from the air in <br />February and March while conducting other studies in the vicinity. During those flights emphasis <br />was placed on checking known golden eagle nests for activity. Beginning in late April all suitable <br />habitat including cliffs and trees were surveyed a minimum of twice per month through the middle <br />of July to check for: (1) nest locations, (2) whether nests were active or inactive, and (3) iC active <br />was the nest(s) successful and, if so, (4) how many young were fledged from each nest. <br />Initially the azea was checked from the ground for active and inactive nests. The area was flown in <br />early may using a Piper Super Cub to check all known nest sites from previous years as well as <br />new or previously unidentified nest sites. At this time aspen trees had not leafed out and some of <br />these areas were flown to locate active and inactive nest sites. All sites were then ground truthed. <br />After the initial intensive surveys, all active, inactive and potential nest sites were ground checked <br />at least twice per month through mid-July until all young, except for late nesters were fledged. <br />Species such as American Kestrels, Northern Haaiers and Great-horned Owls were observed in <br />• the azea but, other than one kestrel nest, no nest sites were located for these species. Kestrels <br />were commonly observed around all cliffs in both the Middle and Foidel Creek drainages and it <br />must be assumed that these birds were nesting in the cliffs and probably other areas. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Raptor nesting activity in this area as well as other areas where nesting raptor activity was being <br />monitored in Northwest Colorado produced one interesting observation. Due to some unknown <br />factor such as a wet spring or other conditions there was considerable difference in dates when the <br />young fledged. It was observed that while some red-tail hawks were ready to fledge by mid to late <br />June, young birds still in the downy stage were observed on other nests. The number of late <br />nesters necessitated checking all nests where the young had not fledged in late June and again in <br />mid July [o see if the birds had fledged. This difference in the date of hatching, as evidenced by <br />the age of the young, was also observed with golden eagles. This wide range in ages was also <br />observed during raptor studies in other areas in northwest Colorado. <br />• <br />