Barred owls are often seen on the winter raptor survey.

Raptors count on the Long Beach Peninsula, and in more ways than one! The data collected over the past two winters indicates that the peninsula can sustain a relatively large population of raptors in winter. This means that there is enough prey to sustain them during the winter months.

The winter raptor survey is coordinated by Jeff Fleischer for the East Cascades Audubon society, located in Bend, Oregon. The time period for the winter raptor survey begins in November and ends in March. The data gathered are given to The Peregrine Fund which is building a data base for raptors around the world.

These photos are what have been seen by Susan Stauffer and me during the past two years. Included in this photo essay are pictures of raptors we haven’t seen but hope to see and could see. The raptors shown are residents of the Long Beach Peninsula. We just must be in the right place at the right time to see some of the more secretive or less common raptors.

Watching wintering raptors is an exciting happening on the peninsula. If you go looking for them, you will not only enjoy the search, but you will also find the birds interesting and exciting to watch.

Happy birding!