[obol] Greenridge Hawkwatch this weekend 9/30 and 10/1 near Sisters, OR

[khanh tran]

Please join the East Cascade Bird Conservancy and Hawk Watch this weekend 
for the fall
raptor migration at Green Ridge just north of Sisters, Oregon.  It is a
great way to have fun, see some spectacular birds, and help out a wonderful
non-profit organization with its bird conservation mission.

Last year we successfully counted over 1000 raptors during the five week
survey, surpassing the numbers of migrating raptors at Bonney Butte.  We
even had a day with over 400 birds (almost a bird every minute over our
heads)!

Volunteers join up with experienced surveyors and everyone carpools to the
official location. No experience is required and it is great fun!  Learn how
to identify various hawks in flight.

Rugged Mt. Jefferson is our beautiful backdrop as these majestic and
spectacular birds migrate south along the 15 mile ridge.  It is also a great
area for Ponderosa species such as PYGMY NUTHATCH, WHITE HEADED WOODPECKER,
and WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER.  DUSKY GROUSE and NORTHERN GOSHAWK have also 
been seen right at the survey location!  The driveup to the ridge is smooth 
and scenic.

ECBC (non-profit organization) goal is to propagate an appreciation for the
avian world.  We gather local data and participate in projects that will
help protect local bird populations.  Current projects include breeding
surveys with gray flycatchers, Lewis’s woodpeckers, and future surveys with
tricolor blackbirds.  Much of this success is through the outreach of
engaging the public to volunteer in these valuable field studies and to
support projects that will further the knowledge and appreciation of birds
and their habitats.

Every September and October, Hawkwatch International coordinates a team 
(supported by the US Forest Service and Bridger Bowl Ski Area) to monitor 
the autumn migration, counting and identifying.  Nationally, there are 
another two dozen sites devoted to counting these hunters of the sky.

I hope you will join us!  The more eyes we have, the better.  You never know
what may show up such as a kettle of BROAD WING HAWKS.

Here is the volunteer information with ECBC Fall Raptor Migration.

WHY: Raptors help us by acting as ecological barometers.  They feed at the 
top of the biological food chain, occupying grasslands, forests, deserts, 
arctic tundra, and wetlands all over our planet.  They are sensitive 
indicators of changes in the ecosystems, not only within our country but 
across political borders.   As do many predators, raptors play a critical 
role in maintaining ecosystem health. The yearly trends in data various hawk 
watch sites point out rises or declines in species numbers.  This 
information is useful to biologists and conservationists.

WHEN: Saturdays and Sundays of September 30 and October 1, 7, 8, 14
and 15.  Survey officially starts at 10AM and ending at 4:00 PM.

WHERE:  Meeting place is at Indian Ford Campground near Sisters, Oregon.  We
meet at 8:00 AM and bird along the way as we head upward to the official
location.  The survey site is approximately 18 miles from Indian Ford 
Campground.
Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING SITE: To reach Indian Ford Campground, Take Hwy 126/20 
west out of Sisters following signs to Salem.  Travel on this road and look 
for a tall, tree covered Butte to the NW.  This is Black Butte.  Before you 
get to Black Butte, look off to the north for Indian Ford Rd.  The 
campground is near the junction of Indian Ford Rd and Hwy 20.

SURVEY SITE LOCATION: For those who want to join us at a later time and not 
at Indian Ford CG, here are the directions.  From Indian Ford take Forest 
Rd. north to pavement end (approx 10 miles) Take the left fork (FR1150) for 
approximately 6 miles(follow signs to Green Ridge Lookout).  Turn left on 
Forest Rd 1154 and go approximately 1 mile (Look out sign). Turn Left on 
FR1140 and go approx. 300 yards (lookout sign).  Turn right on Road 600 
(gravel single lane) and follow 600 for a little over a 1/2 mile.  Park 
where road makes a 90 degree trun to left in clearcut near ridge top. Look 
for blue ribbon on north sideof road at corner and follow ribbon north 
across clearcut, through narrow leave strip and into top of next clearcut.  
This the place.  You should see some cars park along the way and if you 
listen carefully, you will hear us in the distance.  It takes about 5 
minutes to walk to the survey site.

WHAT TO BRING: Binoculars, scope (optional), warm clothes, rain gear,
foldable chair, lunch, good spirit, and humor.  Good reference book: Hawks
from Every Angle by Jerry, Liguori, and David Sibley.

HOW: Please email khanhbatran at hotmail.com or call 503-936-6636 for sign up
of dates or for more information.  Any one from Portland Metro area is more
than welcome to carpool with me to Sisters.

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (ECBC fall raptor migration coordinator)