Hawks Aloft conduct raptor survey in Socorro County

The Hawks Aloft team conducted a raptor survey in the Rio Grande Valley near Socorro last week, counting 55 raptors across six species in two in a half hours.

“We have been doing raptor surveys in the Rio Grande Valley and also in the Estancia Valley, for the last 30 years,” Gail Garber, executive director of Hawks Aloft, said. “We are a New Mexico nonprofit organization. We do research on wild populations of birds.”

She said they conduct raptor surveys in Socorro with two main 20-mile routes surveyed multiple times annually. The team, which included Garber, Heather Rissi, Jacy Dowler, and PD St. Clair, followed the routes, stopping at predetermined points along the way. At each stop, they remain for three minutes and scan the area for raptors, recording their observations.

Garber said this method provides long-term data to monitor raptor populations and habitat changes.

The surveys track raptor species over time, with specific attention to how droughts and changes in irrigation impact species such as the American kestrel, said Garber.

Highlights of the recent survey in Socorro included Prairie Falcons, Ferruginous Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels.

She said agriculture, especially irrigation and land management, significantly supports raptors.

“I noticed, when we were just down there, and some people were plowing their fields, getting ready to plant, and the raptors were all over the place, and they’re waiting because when they plow the field, it kicks up prey that they can eat,” Garber said.

She said the rodents, bugs and butterflies found in the fields provide food for the raptors.

“Those back roads of Socorro County are not well traveled, and there’s just lots and lots of animals in there, birds, little birds, songbirds and raptors,” Garber said, “Just along the ditch roads, the ditches are really prolific in terms of wildlife value.”

According to their website, Hawks Aloft began in 1994 to safeguard birds and habitats and expanded in 2013 to include raptor rescue services.

The nonprofit collaborates statewide with federal and state governments, tribal authorities, other agencies, businesses, and schools.

The public can reach the Hawks Aloft raptor hotline (505) 999-7740