2007 Wrap Up

Here is the final total count of banded hawks for the years 2001-2007. We ended this season with 280, which puts 2007 as the fourth highest season overall and the third highest as of October 6, which was our last day this year.


This graph shows the average number of hawks banded per day for the years 2001-2007. This season was the third highest at 6.8 per day.


This graph shows the total number of each species we banded and compares that to the average number banded over the 2001-2006 seasons. This year we were higher than average with Cooper's Hawks and American Kestrels, and lower than average on almost everything else. We banded 10 different species this year. Over the years we have banded 11 different species, but we have yet to band all 11 in one season.

And that gives us a goal for next year!

Saturday, October 6, 2007

This photo is not from yesterday, but it is symbolic of the last half of our season. What started out as a promising record breaking year, has been shut down early by cold, windy weather.

Mark Gleason ran solo today. Not only were additional helpers absent, he also lacked any hawks to band.

Mark and Martin will be up there Sunday. They will be starting to close up the operation, but depending on weather, they may see if they can bring in a few last hawks.

Our total stands at 279, which is third behind 2005 and 2006, as of today's date.

"Not rain, nor snow....." - Thursday, October 4, 2007

Comparison of female and male SSHA - both AHY

Not rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor fog can keep the Entiat banders from their appointed goal.

Another day of varied, more like early Winter than Fall, weather. Mike, Vicky, Dalene, and Becky perservered through another day of freezing toes and fingers and ended up with 5 hawks banded.

Raptors banded:

1 AHY male SSHA
3 AHY female SSHA
1 ASY male COHA

We are now at a total of 274 for the year. We have jumped back ahead of 2002 and with 10 days left for our season, it will be a race to the end, to see if we can stay ahead of that year.

3 Banded - Friday, September 28, 2007

Another nice double catch - this one of Cooper's Hawks

The wind returned today along with much colder temperatures. The forecast was for freezing levels of 3500' and snow, but luckily the precipitation held off. Mike, Vicky and Dalene saw a total of 10 raptors the whole day. They banded 3.

We now have a total of 255. In the interest of fair reporting, I am including the updated graph which shows that we are currently behind 2005 and 2006.

Raptors banded:

1 SY female SSHA
1 AHY female COHA
1 ASY female COHA

11 Banded! - Monday, September 24, 2007

A great shot of an ASY female COHA in molt.


Martin Muller and Vivian Gross got us going again today with 11 raptors banded. They had clear skies with a few clouds on the horizon. They caught 10 of these by 12:40 PM and then the last one around 4 PM.

Raptors banded:

1 HY male SSHA
1 HY female SSHA
4 SY female SSHA
1 AHY female SSHA
1 AHY male COHA
2 ASY male COHA
1 ASY female COHA

We finally have the graph heading upwards again!

2 More Banded - Sunday, September 23, 2007

What a joy to be so happy with small things.

Jim and Kaitlyn got us through another day with at least something banded. They saw 35, which is more than we have been seeing the last few days, but most of the raptors today were showing little interest. They did have some fun watching another Golden Eagle coming in close and an adult Peregrine Falcon making many passes.

Raptors banded:

1 AHY female SSHA
1 SY female SSHA

Here is a graph showing the average # caught per day during 2001-2006. As you can see, we traditionally have a slow period mid September. Our busiest week historically is this coming week. Any bets on whether we will top our biggest day so far of 26?



Here we see the species breakdown for the years 2001-2006 compared to what we have banded so far in 2007. It appears to be the "Year of the Kestrel". Our Cooper's Hawk numbers are above average also, while some of the other species are below average. It is still too early to speculate, but on those slow days in the blind, what else is there to do? Suffice it to say, at this point, anything could still happen.

1 More Banded - Tuesday, September 18, 2007

More clouds and rainy weather over the mountains today. The weather is one of the most obvious factors that determine how many hawks we see migrating. Pat called to say they only saw 10 today and they caught 1 Red Tail Hawk.

Raptors banded:

1 HY U RTHA

No photos were taken today, so I will entertain you with a few graphs. Our season to date total is at 203 and that is still above our biggest year ever, 2006.




Here is the graph that shows this years species composition to date:



This is the graph that shows the species breakdown for the years 2001-2006:

Windy - 1 Banded - Sunday, September 16, 2007

Martin reported winds of 25-35 mph today and cloudy. They gave one up for the team, and hung in there, eventually banding 1 raptor. We now have a total season to date of 197. Last year on this date we had 160. So we are still doing just fine. Thanks you guys!

Raptor banded:

1 HY female SSHA

11 Banded - Thursday, September 13, 2007

Quite a different day today as far as total banded. But very similar as far as weather. Dalene reported clear skies, and hot with very little wind. We always speculate, but never really know for sure, why 2 consecutive days with similar conditions can be so different as far as numbers banded.

On the ridge today were Jim Shiflet, Dalene Keith, and Carolyn Brannen.

Raptors banded:

2 HY female SSHA
5 HY male SSHA
2 HY male COHA
1 HY female COHA
1 AHY male COHA

With yesterdays high numbers we are again ahead of last year at this time.We now have 168 for the season compared to last year at this date of 147.

Late Breaking News! GOLDEN EAGLE

Pat Little with AHY male Golden Eagle

I just got this in from the ridge and need to post it before the day is through. I called to verify that the photo wasn't photoshopped (yes Pat, you do like to play tricks!). This is just the 3rd Golden Eagle that we have ever banded at Entiat since 2001. (This guy weighed 40 times more than a Sharp-shinned hawk they caught just before him.)

I talked to Pat Little and got the story. He came by around 4 PM. He was molting so he was after hatch year. They may be able to determine a definite age by reviewing photos of the plumage. It was also noted that he was very docile. Helping Pat on the ridge today were Gavin Brady, Gail Roberts, and Jody Marquadt. They had 8 total for the day.

Way to go Team!

Raptors banded:

1 HY female SSHA
4 HY male SSHA
1 HY male COHA
1 HY U RTHA
1 AHY male GOEA

AHY male Golden Eagle leaving Entiat



Here is the Sharp-shinned hawk that weighed 1/40th of the GOEA



We are now at a total of 131. Last year at this date we had 138. Last year it slowed down a bit on the next few days, so with the good weather forecast, there is a good chance we will soon be ahead of last year again.

BIG Day - 21 Banded today! - Sunday, September 9, 2007

HY female Prairie Falcon

Congratulations to the team today, headed by Martin Muller and Mark Gleason. Not only did they top our biggest day so far this season, but they also brought in 2 first's of the season, a Prairie Falcon and a Merlin! AND they caught half of what they observed which is quite a coup. It is very rewarding after such a slow day yesterday.

The weather was clear and warm, with just a light breeze in the afternoon. The Prairie falcon played with them for half an hour before they were able to catch it. And she even had a full crop. Helping Martin and Mark were Rebecca Wells, Peter Klein and his son Gavin and his friend Sam.

(An addendum from Mark Gleason - A special thanks to Rebecca Wells who had to learn to spot birds, pull the pigeon, record data, and figure out how to use the photo function on the phone, all in crowded blind on the busiest day of the year. Not to mention Martin and my calm demeanor through out the day!
- Mark)


Raptors banded:

5 HY male SSHA
4 HY female SSHA
1 HY male COHA
3 HY female COHA
1 ASY male COHA
4 ASY female COHA
1 HY U RTHA
1 HY male MERL
1 HY female PRFA

HY male Merlin



We are now at a total of 113, just ahead of last year with 110 as of this date. Here is the updated graph:

Comparison graph for all years

Here is a graph comparing the total banded for all the years since we started the project in 2001. We have just slipped behind 2006, which was our best year to date. Not to worry though, we have a long stretch of good weather coming up.

Clicking on the graph will give you a larger view.



Here is a link to our published report of the Entiat Ridge project from 2001-2005:

http://www.frg.org/picts/Entiatfinal.pdf