LAS Raptor Trip – November 10, 2012

Despite threats of snow and wind and cold, eight stalwart Laramie Auduboners ventured out to look for raptors in the Laramie area on November 10. We were lucky with the weather as well as with the birds. The snow stopped, the wind died down, and we were treated to looks at a variety of raptors, as well as many other birds and mammals.

Raptors

Bald Eagle – 4 (All juveniles or subadults)

Golden Eagle – 9

Northern Harrier – 2

Red-tailed Hawk – 1

Ferruginous Hawk – 6 (including one that caught a rodent after we inadvertently flushed it)

Rough-legged Hawk – 11 (mainly adult females; no adult males).

American Kestrel – 1 (a male with a vole)

Great Horned Owl – 1

Non-raptors

Eared Grebe

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Canvasback

Redhead

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

American Coot

Black-billed Magpie

Common Raven

Black-capped Chickadee

Western Meadowlark

We had a great look at a pronghorn herd that bunched together and ran when an adult Golden Eagle flew toward it. We also saw another large herd of running pronghorns. Other mammals included a small group of mule deer, a white-tailed deer, and a little red fox poking its head over a nearby hill. Thanks to all who participated!