#hawkwatch

[ibleed]

[sepdet]

Great-horned owl complaining bc we visited the other mews first.

Nicki Wayment is the director of Hawkwatch a conservation group that studies, tracks, conserves habitat, does educational outreach, rehabs injured raptors, and cares for rescues which can't be released to the wild.

Kotori imprinted on the vet who saved his life as a chick (eye infection). Rehab was unsuccessful in teaching him to hunt. So now trained volunteers like my dad take him as a wildlife ambassador to local schools and museums for 1-2 hour educational programs.

[Edit: Not gloved, never do this; replies are absolutely right. But Nikki's known him for ten years.]

[what-is-this-rubbish]

Had a killer (and incredibly cold) weekend out at the Goshutes Hawkwatch site! Got up close and personal with some neat raptors, all the way from a gorgeous red-tailed to a tiny sharp shin.

The 2000 ft elevation gain on the hike up was excruciating (probably because my sleeping bag is cheapo and weighs like 10 pounds) but the views and the birds were well worth it!

[glaciernps]

Celebrate Citizen Science!

A group of high school students scans for common loons.

Happy Citizen Science Day! Saturday, April 13 marks the kick-off day for an annual event that celebrates and promotes all things citizen science. Here in Glacier, we have much to celebrate when it comes to citizen science. For 14 years, Glacier’s Citizen Science Program has trained and utilized volunteers to monitor and collect data on species of concern and priority plant and wildlife found in the park. From mountain goats to loons to huckleberry plants, our citizen scientists have gathered data and contributed thousands of hours to research in Glacier National Park.

These efforts enable park managers to begin addressing the growing list of research and monitoring needs in spite of personnel and funding constraints. In return for their efforts, our participants gain a sense of stewardship, a greater awareness of the park's resource issues, and an expanded insight in ecological research methods. Plus, it’s just plain fun! So, hats off to all our volunteers over the years and here’s to a great 2019 season!

Interested in getting involved? Email  [email protected] or call 406-888-7986 for more information.

A HawkWatch volunteer collects data on migrating raptors.

The Citizen Science Program has invited members of the public to assist in biological research while recreating in the park since 2005. The program is coordinated by the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center, based in Glacier, and made possible by the generous support of the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

[Image description: Top image shows three high school students sitting in a meadow looking through binoculars. Two instructors stand in the background. Bottom image shows man sitting outdoors and taking notes on a piece of paper.]

[asgardian--angels]

In case anyone was wondering what’s been up with me irl lately! I’ve been awful about posting pics (aka, I never got around to it at all) so here you go. As maybe a few of you know, this fall I am working for the Cape May Bird Observatory in Cape May, New Jersey, helping out with the annual Hawkwatch! Today was a record-breaking flight, with over 5,400 American kestrels in one day. This is the highest count in the over four decades this monitoring research has been running. This is a species that is undergoing severe declines currently, so to witness such a spectacle was a real privilege and something I will always remember. I also got to see my lifer Golden Eagle and Cackling Goose from the platform today as well! 

[tclone1971]

“Lion-S left our order to hunt and free monsters in the Alphabattalion,” reported the Cat-Soldier. “But particularly dragons. That’s why I’m in this dragon graveyard. Where is she now?” #nofilter #dragon #soldier #lego #wagonersgap #waggonersgap #hawkwatch #lego #writer #blaze https://www.instagram.com/p/BpGXQbHASDw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d7g2qiqruuml

[mackincaid]

View this post on Instagram

It was very windy and noisy today, and Galileo just couldn't figure out what was happening. 🦉 He isn't a big fan of this kind of weather. The screeching in the background is Aymara the Swainson's Hawk, letting us know about all her opinions. 😁 Galileo is an education bird at @hawkwatch and you should definitely follow their instagram also, or check them out at hawkwatch.org 🦅 #owl #shortearedowl #hawkwatch (at HawkWatch International (HWI))

[ncascades]

A little bit of hands on learning for our graduate students thanks to Hawk Watch International. Prairie falcons, like this one, nest in cliffs, and primarily hunt rodents on the prairie. Our calendar of adult classes is live and programs are filling up quickly. Check out our website for more information. Photo: Daniel Dubie #ncascades #nature #iloveeducation #hawkwatch #bird #birding #science #wild #prairiefalcon