Hawks Aloft records 43 raptors in Socorro

Along a 20 mile stretch of the Rio Grande Main Conveyance Channel in Socorro, volunteers with Hawks Aloft step out of their vehicle, raise binoculars and cameras, and begin scanning the sky for life.

“We’re out here scanning for hawks and raptors,” said Alex Preston, a field technician with the organization. The group’s South Socorro survey follows a 20-mile route beginning near town and heading south, with stops every mile.

During the survey, the team stops at every mile and conducts a three-minute, 360-degree scan, recording every raptor they see. The standardized approach — known as point count methodology — helps researchers compare data over time.

“We record each bird, the type of bird, whether it’s a red-tailed hawk or a kestrel or maybe a prairie falcon,” said Gail Garber, director of Hawks Aloft. “If we can, we’ll record the age, whether it’s juvenile or adult, and sometimes even whether it’s male or female.”

Observers also note plumage variations, including light and dark morphs within the same species.

During the Feb. 19 survey, the team recorded 43 birds, including nine Ferruginous Hawks and 20 Red-tailed Hawks, along with several American kestrels, a greater roadrunner, and a loggerhead shrike.

“We have never seen this many ferruginous hawks on a single day. It was very exciting,” said Garber.

The survey is conducted six times a year, providing a snapshot of raptor populations across seasons. Hawks Aloft conducts research projects throughout much of New Mexico, from the Arizona border north to Colorado.

Garber said recent years have underscored the close connection between agriculture, water and wildlife.

Last summer, many fields in the Socorro area were left fallow due to limited water. Without crops such as alfalfa, insect populations dropped — and with them, the kestrels and other raptors that rely on a healthy food chain.

“Agriculture is really important, and water is everything,” Garber said. “With no water and no agriculture, it was a pretty grim year.”

This winter has also been difficult, with little snowpack to replenish water supplies. Still, volunteers were encouraged to see fields being plowed this year in preparation for planting.

About 70 volunteers support Hawks Aloft statewide, assisting with research, raptor rescue through a statewide hotline, and educational programs in schools and communities.

Ruth Latta, a volunteer from Rio Rancho, said she joined three years ago out of a love for birds.

“It’s kind of therapeutic,” Latta said. “It’s just nice to be out in the country like this.”

Hawks Aloft will host a volunteer training session Feb. 28 in Albuquerque. More information is available on the organization’s website, https://hawksaloft.org.