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It was chilly and blustery, albeit sunny, in northern New Mexico this weekend. On Saturday afternoon we visited the Randall Davey Audubon Center just outside of Santa Fe. There were several Townsend’s Solitaires flying around the parking lot as we pulled up. Many of the other regular stuff, such as Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon and Pink-sided), etc.

On Sunday we decided to make the 2.5 hour trek northward to Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge which was only 25 or so miles from the Colorado border. Within a few moments I immediately found a Northern Shrike. Lots of other winter raptor specialties included Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle along with 2 adult Bald Eagles and 1 juvenile. And I must say, at least 200+ Mountain Bluebirds!! I guess this is *THE* place and time to go if you want to see them.

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Since I was visiting the in-laws out in Beaumont over the holidays, I decided to take a quick peek at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area to see what raptors the cold winter air had brought in. It was pretty dismal with just a few Kestrel’s here and there but after about 30 min I saw a raptor way off in the distance perched on a post in the middle of a field. I first noticed the nice black tail-band so the first thing that popped in my head was Rough-legged Hawk. I snapped a few pictures slowly working my way closer to it. I was so concentrated on trying to get the best pictures possible I didn’t really stop and take the time to actually ID the bird… After looking at the photos later I now realize it was simply a juvenile Ferruginous Hawk (and quite obvious too).

Ferruginous Hawk (juv)

On the way out from SJWA I had a flock of about 50 Mountain Bluebirds, a very cooperative Cassin’s Kingbird and lots of Savannah Sparrows perched along the fenceline.

Mountain Bluebird

Cassin’s Kingbird

Savannah Sparrow

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Robert “Roy” van de Hoek, from the Ballona Institute, called me yesterday afternoon to tell me that he had the Ferruginous Hawk [that's wintering for the second time at Ballona] within close proximity. I rushed over to the Playa del Rey bluffs and just as I pulled up I saw the Ferruginous Hawk fly off to an even more distant power pole. After 20 minutes it flew off again toward the ocean where I lost sight of it. I decided to drive down a little bit closer to the beach to see I could relocate him. As I was pulling my camera and tripod out of the car it flew up and over my head, circling back and forth. Since I didn’t have time to get my tripod legs extended I just dropped to the ground, laying on my back shooting up at it. Without any time for preparation, I got some surprisingly good shots too. Again it flew off over the ocean and out of view.

As I was waiting for him to return a striking adult Peregrine Falcon flew within 100 yards. There was also a Red-tailed Hawk and a couple American Kestrels in the area that would occasionally harass the Ferruginous Hawk each time it would land on a power pole.

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