Sacajawea Audubon Launches the 30th Season of Raptor Counting Atop the Bridgers!
As the Sacajawea Audubon Society celebrates the start of the 30th consecutive annual Bridger Raptor Migration Count, consider joining this year’s official raptor counters, Mia Cignoni and Evan Farese for a day or more at the survey site above Bridger Bowl. Mia and Evan, both highly experienced field biologists, have been recruited as the official season-long observers for the fall 2021 season to scientifically document all raptors migrating along the crest of the Bridger Ridge.
Sacajawea Audubon Society is again partnering with HawkWatch International (HWI) for the 5th consecutive season to continue this critically important project. HWI initiated these scientific, season-long counts in 1992. A total of 17 raptor species are recorded each season, including Golden & Bald Eagles, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Northern Goshawks, American Kestrels, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons and many other raptor species. These migrants originate primarily from breeding areas throughout western Canada and Alaska. Their over-winter destinations include a wide range of latitudes (varying by species), from the American West and Mexico to Central and South America.
Purpose
The primary goals of the Bridger Project are to assess the status and long-term trends of Golden Eagles and other raptors using this Rocky Mountain flyway, and to monitor landscape-level environmental changes using these widespread, apex predators as valuable barometers of ecological health. You too can take part in this long term study as a citizen scientist. So contact the project leader, grab your binoculars and/or scope and earn your wings as a raptor counter for this year’s study.
Golden Eagle Count Trends
Golden Eagle counts in the Bridger Range have generally totaled from 1,000 to 1,800 per season, with up to 150 or more tallied on a single migration day (maximum Golden Eagle numbers are generally observed during the first two weeks of October). However, it is noteworthy that autumn migration counts of Golden Eagles at this and other western sites have shown significant declines, particularly from 2000 through 2010. Importantly, in recent years Golden Eagle counts seem to have stabilized. The cause of the long-term Golden Eagle decline is not fully understood, but these findings in the Bridgers (and counts conducted elsewhere in the western U.S.) have stimulated additional Golden Eagle research across the western United States.
Raptor Viewing Tips
The best overall raptor viewing for a variety of migrant raptors atop the Bridgers is from mid-September through mid-October. Counts are conducted daily (weather permitting) from 27 August through 31 October. The general public is invited to join Evan and Mia to witness one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena as these majestic birds fly south for the winter.
Additional volunteer observers are needed to help conduct these counts so Mia and Evan can take one day off each week to rest and resupply. For those in good physical condition, it is a 2-hour hike to the observation point (2,200-ft. elevation gain). Anyone wishing to volunteer please contact project coordinator Steve Hoffman at swhoffman0322@gmail.com or 406-461-5714. Folks are encouraged to visit hawkcount.org or sacajaweaaudubon.org to obtain the daily raptor count totals.
How You Can Contribute
If you are unable to climb the 2,200 feet to help count, there are other ways you can contribute. Consider sending treats to our counters or making a financial contribution for this important project. The 2021 budget for this important work is $15,000. Contributions in any amount are most welcome and greatly appreciated!! Please send your check to: Sacajawea Audubon Society, PO Box 1711, Bozeman, MT 59771 and reference Bridger Raptor Count – THANK YOU!!). We look forward to seeing you at the Bridger Lookout or at the Bridger Raptor Festival!
Photo by Lou Ann Harris
