Birding: A Snapshot of the Winter Raptor Survey
Susan Stauffer and I have been counters for the winter raptor survey for four years. The survey itself will mark its 22nd year in 2025-26.
Our work has confirmed that during the last five years, the Long Beach Peninsula has shown it is able to sustain a relatively large population of raptors in winter. This means that prey appears to be plentiful enough to sustain them during the winter months of December, January and February.
Surveys are also done in November and March, during which time some raptors, such as the peregrine falcon, will be coming or going on migration to their breeding grounds, while others are preparing to nest or are already on nests.
The project is coordinated by Jeff Fleischer for the East Cascades Bird Alliance, which is based in Bend, Oregon.
Author summary: Survey confirms large raptor population.