Eagles, Hawks and Falcons Highlight Winter Birding

Joe Meche is a member of the board of directors of the North Cascades Audubon Society and has been the editor of the chapter newsletter for the past six years. Joe has photographed birds and landscapes for over thirty years and has watched birds for more than fifty years.

By the time mid-September arrives in these parts, many of the shorebirds have migrated through the area and most of the species that have come north to breed in the county are gone. While it might seem a bit early, this is the time of year to start thinking about the raptors that spend the winter in our backyard.

The western lowlands of Whatcom County provide ideal wintering habitat and a variety of available prey for good numbers of raptors. Beaks and Bills discussed nocturnal raptors—owls—in December of 2002. In this installment, we’ll focus on the diurnal raptors—eagles, hawks and falcons.

Since 1967, the Bellingham Christmas Bird Count (CBC) records have accounted for sightings of a baker’s dozen of these magnificent and often spectacular birds. Historical records reflect the population changes in the numbers of certain species, many of which were adversely affected in the days when DDT was in common usage.

The birds in this general group range in size from the golden eagle to the American kestrel. While sightings of bald eagles and red-tailed hawks are relatively common throughout the year, their numbers increase significantly throughout the fall and winter months. These two species and other diurnal raptors always provide great winter birding highlights.

Diurnal raptors belong to two families. Eagles, hawks and harriers belong to the family Accipitridae; falcons belong to the family Falconidae; and both families belong to the order, Falconiformes. These two families of birds are represented by more than 250 species worldwide, and in Whatcom County, birdwatchers can count on seeing as many as nine or 10 on a good winter day’s outing.

The magnificent bald eagle is one of the most recognizable birds in North America, if not in the world. Everyone knows our national symbol and here in Whatcom County, we’re fortunate to have several resident bald eagles in the area. You can usually find a bald eagle to add to your checklist on any day of the year, and there are several nests scattered around the county. A good time to locate the nests is after the deciduous trees have lost their leaves in late fall.

While good numbers of eagles can be found throughout the year, winter is the time for high numbers. The chum salmon that spawn on the Nooksack River attract birds from as far away as Alaska. The largest concentrations of eagles can be found on the North Fork of the Nooksack between December and February.

A good place to begin a day of eagle watching is at the Deming Homestead Eagle Park on Truck Road, east of Deming and just off the Mt. Baker Highway. Upstream from the park, the North Fork Road provides more viewing opportunities. The average annual census of eagles on the Nooksack River numbers approximately 450 birds, which utilize night roosts in the forests above the river.

Sightings of golden eagles have occurred in the county and elicited quick responses from birders wishing to add this bird to their county list; however, many of these same golden eagles turn out to be immature bald eagles. Golden eagles have been observed on at least three CBCs and, with the increased number of skilled observers in the field these days, the numbers could change.

The widespread red-tailed hawk and the less common rough-legged hawk are the two buteos that you’re likely to see in the open country during the winter. Red-tailed hawks have been observed in a variety of habitats from sea level to mountain valleys. I recently observed one red-tail soaring on thermals on the northern flanks of Mount Baker, above the Wells Creek drainage; and another dismantling a downtown rock dove (pigeon) in the central business district.

Rough-legged hawks are birds of the flat, open areas of the western lowlands such as the Lummi Flats. Since “roughies” travel from the far north to winter here, the numbers that we see in the county vary considerably. When severe weather or other natural cycles bring about a decline in available prey species, the rough-legged hawk, like the snowy owl, will venture farther south in search of food.

Northern harriers can be found in the county throughout the year but their numbers increase significantly between fall and spring. Harriers prefer the open habitats of the lowlands and they can often be seen in their typical gliding flight over farmlands and river bottoms. The diagnostic field mark to look for in harriers is the distinctive white rump patch. Since harriers are ground nesters, look for nesting activity in the spring in areas where there is little or no farming. I discovered a nest this summer in the open meadow just north of the Hovander Homestead.

The sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks and the northern goshawk are the three accipter species that frequent the wooded areas of the county. While the falcons are hard to beat in the open, the accipiters rule the woodlands. With their long tails and rounded wings, they are well adapted to chasing prey through the trees. Cooper’s and sharp-shins have become relatively common in the area, while goshawk sightings are less frequent. If you have active bird feeders in your yard throughout the winter, with cover nearby, keep an eye out for Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks. With a little luck, you might even see a goshawk.

Cooper’s and sharp-shins have also been known to frequent downtown Bellingham in winter, taking advantage of the downtown pigeon population. One Cooper’s was observed frequently last winter, perched in the trees on Magnolia Street, between Railroad and Cornwall. Another, less fortunate Cooper’s met its untimely end in a collision with a fourth-floor window on the Key Bank building on Holly Street. The consensus is that this hawk was in hot pursuit of dinner when it ran into the window.

The falcon family is represented in Whatcom County by American kestrels, merlins, peregrine falcons, the occasional prairie falcon and the almost mythical gyrfalcon. While kestrels can be seen hovering over fields searching for prey, such as insects and small mammals, the rest of the falcon family is all about speed and the intensity of the chase. Some of the most spectacular and dramatic moments for birdwatchers come when falcons give chase to large flocks of shorebirds. Whenever you see shorebirds leap into the air, look above or behind the flock for a hungry falcon. This is obviously a dramatic time for predator and prey, as well.

Merlins have been found nesting in Bellingham for the past three years, primarily in the area south of the university; and for years there have been rumors about a peregrine falcon nest somewhere in the Georgia-Pacific complex. While this has never been confirmed, peregrines have also been regular visitors to the downtown core in winter. Regular perches for peregrines have been the microwave towers on Forest and Chestnut; the Mount Baker Apartments building; and the old Leopold Hotel building on Cornwall. Again, the downtown pigeon population provides an ample and available food source.

While the diurnal raptors comprise a small percentage of the overall bird population in Whatcom County, few other species evoke as much of the drama of the natural world. These birds are made for hunting—their aerial skills and speed combine with strong legs and feet and sharp talons to snare and hold prey while they dispatch their victims with their hooked beaks. While all species possess a few similarities, they can readily be sorted out with just a little practice. In Whatcom County, the time between fall and spring is the best time of year to get to know the eagles, hawks and falcons. §