Anyone noticing reduced raptor numbers?

[Loupey]

I noticed it starting in late summer. Red-tailed hawk numbers had been down and few run-ins with coopers were experienced. The few pairs of kestrels that frequent a particular area nearby seemed unaffected though. Haven't seen a red-shouldered hawk at all. No signs of the short-eared owls.

Now, the harriers are extremely few and far in between. About a half dozen is all that I've come across so far. There has been quite a discussion among birders in my area about all this. Lots of theories including a dramatic collapse in the rodent population.

I think Cara Rose noticed this during her eagle trip. Wondering if anyone else in the midwest is seeing this trend right now.

The most recent harrier shot below. Not much to write about unfortunately.

[CaraRose]

The eagle numbers along that area of the IL river were definitely down this year. I don't know if that was local to Starved Rock area or if it's the whole river. I have heard that along the Mississippi river locks and dams the numbers are still pretty good.

I haven't noticed a decline in hawks, but they're pretty rare within the city normally. I usually spot certain ones on the highway light posts while driving to the northern suburbs to work.

[Singletracklovr]

And here I thought it was just in my area (central Colorado).
I have been out several times to my usual haunts looking for something interesting to shoot and have come home with an empty memory card.
I thought maybe I was loosing my stealthy touch.

[CaraRose]

Funny after commenting on this thread, I dropped my grandma at the salon and when I was getting in the car to leave, looked up and there were two small hawks (I'd guess Coopers) circling across the street, hunting the pigeons.

[frog4gators]

I live in Central Va.... and it is quite the opposite! Maybe they moved out here.

[mjs1973]

I haven't given it much thought, but now that you mention it... I still see redtails all over the place, but I haven't noticed as many kestrels along the power lines like I have in the past. It could be that I just haven't been out as much as I use to. As far as the eagles go, I think that maybe they are just dispersed more along the rivers this year. The rivers don't seem to be frozen over like they have in the past which causes the eagles to congregate around the open water near the damns. More open water means more places for them to go.

[Eric D]

Nice shot.....All the Raptors are in Florida right now

I see so many its paradise!!

[paulnj]

The weather in canada and northern states along with rodent populations is the major factor to the winter raptor populations. Also habitat loss has caused kestrels to decline alot on the east coast as nesting birds.

[AgingEyes]

Locally, we have three adult gyrfalcons and one juvenile guyfalcon still hanging around. A week or two ago one may be two great grey owls sighted and photographed. I missed all of them (sigh).

Also sighted and photographed was an golden eagle. Bald eagles and harriers, well, this is BC, so they're here all year long.

Haven't heard anything about anyone talking about the decline in their numbers.

And, an early barn swallow was sighted a few days ago. That was a bit too early, I'd say.

[Loupey]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Hopefully the decline is only a localized phenomena. There has been tremendous urban development in the past but the sudden decline this year was particularly troubling.

Ironically, a week or two ago I finally found a bald eagle in my area (a few miles from the office).

[SmartWombat]

I'm driving to a new office now, but still seeing red kites every day.
They're on the increase, kestrel numbers seem static.

[paulnj]

If you had a severe winter and/or prey item decline in BC, those gyrfalcons would be eating pheasants in the dakotas right now

[AgingEyes]

If you had a severe winter and/or prey item decline in BC, those gyrfalcons would be eating pheasants in the dakotas right now

Haha...

Last year (2009) we had quite a few rare birds sighted. An emperor goose was one of them. Got a call at around 1630 but stuck at work :cryin: :mad2:

[drg]

I'm seeing a half a dozen hawks of the red-tail and Cooper's varieties everyday. Maybe the same half a dozen birds because of where I see them. They are certainly healthy looking even with our unusually cold early winter in Mid-Central Illinois. Lots of bunnies and small varmints to munch on.

There's a rumor among several of my local birding friends that some of the Eagle's in Northern Illinois are not taking kindly to the leaping carp. They've moved slightly outside of their normal habitat at least in the warmer weather. There's been a terrible increase in carp numbers and spring may be a rare set of photo ops for those wanting to see 'flying fish' in the Midwest.

[Loupey]

Odd timing as yesterday I spotted about half dozen RTHs without looking for them and without a camera. Don't know if the snow storm caused a shift in their patrolling areas.

[SARtech]

To my delight, Bald Eagles have increased every season here where I work by the river near Channahon, IL. There have been reports that the usual spot folks go to around here to eagle watch, Starved Rock, has been dismal this year. I have just come in from spending all day watching and getting a few captures of more eagles than I have ever seen here before. Lots of Juveniles. The adults today were soaring very high... tough to get good shots. I had a great time watching pairs, sometimes an adult with a juvi, and sometimes 2 juvi's either "play fighting" in the air, or practicing aerial combat. Have never seen that before. Got a couple shots just for documentation (a bit far away). I will post some soon.

Must say though, I don't know if it's because the eagles are around or not, but I have seen maybe only 2 red tailed hawks this Winter.