Where to Find Raptors in February

The month of February is often overlooked as a time to go birding. Many birdwatchers who hail from cold, northern latitudes already got their fix of winter birds during December and January. They already ventured outdoors to brave the icy winds and crunchy snow to see wintering waterfowl, flocks of gulls, and other birds that only show up during freezing weather. Some continue to brave the elements on a weekly basis but a lot more have settled into watching birds from the cozy confines of their homes. Feeder action becomes the main birding spectacle and who wouldn’t be content with seeing a variety of finches, woodpeckers, nuthatches, jays, and other hardy species?

However, let us not stray from the true meaning of this post as it only deals with the feeder visitors mentioned above in a tangential fashion. They are linked to the topic, but in a way that brings in other types of feeder birds; those that prey upon the doves, sparrows, and other bird species that come to your yard. These are the raptors and if you regularly maintain a feeder, one or two has probably paid a visit to your backyard. If you live in Europe, it might be a Sparrowhawk or even a Goshawk. If you call North America home, then there’s  a good chance you have witnessed the appearance of a Sharp-shinned Hawk or a Cooper’s Hawk. They come to your place because you are basically providing them with much-needed food.  Although hawks will also pay a visit to feeders during the summer, in February, you have a better chance of seeing them in the backyard because (1) there aren’t as many prey items in the neighborhood and (2) there tend to be more raptors wintering in the area.

Although you may lament the loss of a few of your regular feeder birds to raptors, keep in mind that the hawks will feed on birds whether you put out a feeder or not. In addition to the backyard, here are a couple of other good places to find raptors in February:

• Weedy fields: Wintering Buteos and harriers tend to concentrate in areas with good rodent populations. While you may come across such raptors in a plowed field, you have a better chance of finding them in areas with native grasses and successional plants (weeds). Such sites can be ideal for mice, shrews, and voles and are in turn suitable for raptors. A combination of weedy fields and woodlots can be even better for raptors as this provides a mosaic of habitats used by open country, edge, and forest species.
• Open water and wetlands: Areas of open water are often frequented by ducks and gulls which can be preyed upon by a number of exciting raptor species. These are the sites that may attract Bald Eagles in North America and White-tailed Eagles in Europe. Peregrine Falcons and even rare Gyrfalcons can show up at such sites. Coastal marshes can also provide good habitat for falcons during the winter.

Have you seen hawks visiting the backyard? Tell about your experiences with winter raptors in the comments.

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