Background:
The Bellemont area of northern Arizona contains a high concentration of wintering raptors, with many birds using the northern portion of the Camp Navajo Arizona National Guard facility. The impact of proposed land use projects have on the ability of over-wintering raptors to continue using this area is unclear. Understanding why this northern Arizona area contains a high concentration of wintering raptors will prove useful to both Camp Navajo and the surrounding land management agencies.

Location:
Camp Navajo is located on the Coconino Plateau about 10 miles west of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Approach:
Approximately 8 square miles of the northern boundary of Camp Navajo is surveyed for wintering raptors. This area includes non-forested habitat, including meadows, open disturbed areas, and park-like forests. We conduct road surveys from late September to early April to detect all raptor species along the road network within Camp Navajo using 3 repeatable transects established in 2000. These areas were surveyed each winter from 2000-2002 and we intend to survey again the winter of 2003-2004. The location of each bird was recorded with the aid of a global positioning system and all flying raptors were identified and plotted on a map, with the type of flight patterns noted (flap-sail, gliding, kiting, or soaring). We took special care not to double count raptors. In past surveys, red-tailed hawks made up majority of the birds detected on the survey. To distinguish the resident red-tailed hawks from the migrants, we will attempt to capture and color band all resident red-tailed hawks during fall 2003.

Benefits:
Winter raptor surveys conducted along the same routes within Camp Navajo began in 2000 to establish a benchmark for long-term monitoring on this military installation. Identifying where raptors are spending their time (e.g., perched upon utility poles, abandoned buildings, etc.) within Camp Navajo will allow managers to mitigate any potential fatalities due to electrocutions, building demolition, or construction.

For more information contact:
Mylea Bayless, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000 .
Phone: (928) 213-9591 E-mail: mbayless@gf.state.az.us

Michael Ingraldi, Ph.D., Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000 .
Phone: (928) 523-5625 E-mail: mingraldi@cybertrails.com