|
Protecting Ramona’s Grasslands at Heart of Annual ‘Hawk Watch’
 | | American kestral.
|
|
By E.A. Barrera
They are followers of the osprey; the American kestrel; the merlin. On a brisk, winter’s morning, you’ll see them gathered together — eager and avid — with eyes sharply gazing over the landscape of the Ramona Grasslands. Their eyes follow the sky — follow the currents of the sky they have come to know almost as well as the prey they hunt. Called “birders” because they would spare no expense to catch site of a particular species of bird, they are armed with telescopes, high-powered binoculars and expensive cameras. Every year, they come to Ramona — to the Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) at 18030 Highland Valley Road in the center of Ramona (a non-profit corporation and land trust formed in 1990 and incorporated in 1997).
The WRI has contracted with the State Natural Community Conservation Plan to monitor and study raptors for the San Diego area. One of the methods the organization uses to raise awareness about its work is through its annual “Hawk Watch,” which they operate from the end of December through February in Ramona. Raptors are defined as birds that have evolved with three specific anatomical features distinct from other species of birds. To begin with, they are birds that have strong grasping feet with sharp talons. This enables them to capture, lift and carry prey such as field mice, tree squirrels and other forms of rodents and smaller animals. The next distinction is their hooked upper beaks, which act as powerful cutting tools to help them get through cartilage and bone. It also helps them to pluck away feathers. Finally and perhaps most important, are the raptors superb vision.
 | | Peregrine falcon.
|
|
“They have anywhere from eight to 10 times better vision than human beings,” notes professional falconer and Wildlife Research Institute member Tom Stephan. “It’s been estimated that a raptor can read the fine print of a newspaper from 70 feet in the air — and read the headline from a quarter mile away. They have telescopic vision with high resolution — they can zoom in on the tiniest prey.”
During “Hawk Watch,” the most commonly observed hawks are the red-tailed hawk, Swainson’s hawk, ferruginous hawk, rough-legged hawk and broad-winged hawk. They are often seen soaring high above grasslands and agricultural areas such as in Ramona — taking advantage of rising air currents as they hunt. It is also common to see them perched on utility poles, fence posts and hay bales.
“Man’s given them something of an advantage,” Stephan said. “We’ve given them telephone poles to perch on. Before that they used to walk on the ground.”
Other varieties of hawks found in the Ramona area include the sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper’s hawk, and the northern goshawk. According to Scott Gomes of the Prairie Wildlife Research Center in North Dakota, the way to distinguish raptors when observing them in their native habitats is to observe both their body size and shape, as well their movement — both in flight and when on the attack.
“The soaring hawks (red-tails) have blocky bodies, broad wings and short tails. Their characteristic hunting strategy involves soaring high over open country, then dropping to the ground to seize prey,” Gomes said. “The woodland hawks (Cooper’s hawk) have short, rounded wings and long tails. These adaptations allow them to maneuver quickly among trees after birds and small mammals. Their tails usually have light and dark bars.
“Falcons have long, slim wings which taper to pointed tips,” noted Gomes. “In flight the wings angle back at the wrists and wing beats are rapid.
Falcon bodies are sleek; they have very round heads and long, narrow tails. Most falcons have noticeable patterns on their faces, such as the two cheek ‘sideburns’ of the kestrel.
“Eagles are very large and can be distinguished from other raptors by their size and proportionately large, broad wings. They soar, often at great heights, and have slow, deliberate wing beats.”
Because the Ramona Grasslands offer such a unique environment for so many of these birds of prey, the WRI also emphasizes the need to preserve the grasslands. They regard their primary mission as three-fold, with protection of the grasslands on equal footing with protection and study of the birds, as well as educating the public about the full ecological picture offered within the grasslands.
| 
)
)