This trip is FULL. Registration is CLOSED for this field trip.

Field Trip Leader: Maureen Geiger

These wide-open spaces often attract resident and wintering raptors with Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers and American Kestrels reliably present and White-tailed Kites and Loggerhead Shrikes found fairly often.

Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks seemed more numerous in the past, same for Bald and Golden Eagles, but many sharp eyes might find them. This area has been excellent for wintering Mountain Plovers although they are not consistently reliable.

The pasturelands may offer large flocks of Long-billed Curlews and American Pipits and, although hard to spot, Horned Larks and occasional Burrowing Owls. Other species seen regularly are Say’s Phoebes, Western Bluebirds and Savannah Sparrows. There are no restroom facilities along the route.

FRS radios will greatly aid communication, so please bring them if you have a pair. Also, spotting scopes are useful on this trip. Because some of the route involves pullouts on a busy highway, we should try to minimize the number of vehicles driven. Participants are encouraged to arrange their own carpools at the meeting site.

Field Trip Registration: This trip is FULL. Registration is CLOSED for this field trip. Registration is required for this trip and will be limited to 10 – 12 participants.

Red-tailed Hawk, Image by Daniel Lee Brown