133 



Long-billed curlews were commonly observed In an area immediately 

 southeast of the study area (Fie;ure 69). The vicinity of frequent 

 sightings is referred to as "Curlew Flats" by local residents. 

 During the summer of 198O as many as 12 individuals were seen 

 at one time in the vicinity. A significant decline in observations 

 during 198I may have been due to effects of the worsening drought. 



At one time the long-billed curlew occurred in large numbers over 

 most prairie regions of the United States and southern Canada. 

 Today, curlews are restricted to scattered populations in the 

 West (Allen I98O). Although the curlew is a protected species 

 throughout North America, their numbers continue to decline due 

 to habitat destruction. "Curlew Plats" is a special wildlife 

 feature that should be protected from habitat alteration. 



Raptors : Twenty species of raptors were observed on the Foster 

 Creek study area. Secretive species such as saw-whet owls 

 probably occur on the area, but were not observed during the 

 study period. For the purpose of identifying resident breeding 

 birds, raptor distribution was mapped as follows: Birds observed 

 during the months of May, June and July were considered resident 

 breeders (Figure 70). All other raptor observations were 

 recorded on a separate distribution map, including migrant 

 and transient birds (Figure 71). 



Accipiters ; One sighting of a goshawk was made during the 198O 

 breeding season. It may have nested undetected on the study 

 area or in the imediate vicinity. Sharp-shinned hawks and 

 Cooper's hawks observed in late summer and fall were considered 

 migrant or transient birds. 



Buteos : Red-tailed hawks were ubiquitous on the study area. 

 Fifteen stick nests believed to be red-tailed hawk nests were 

 located in spring of 198I (Table 65). Four of these were active 

 in 1981. Red-tailed hawks were known to breed on the study area 

 in 1980 but no nests were located that year. Individuals of both 

 Krider's and Harlan's color phases occurred on the area. 



Swainson's hawks were observed several times and may have nested 

 within the study area undetected. Large numbers of rough-legged 

 hawks were present in the vicinity during migration periods. 

 Several sightings of a ferruginous hawk were made during the 

 1980 breeding season. This individual may have nested southeast 

 of the study area. 



Golden eagles were commonly observed during all seasons. Three 

 of four known nests on the study area were active during the 

 study period (Table 65). One nest fledged a single young in 

 1980 and another fledged two young in I98I. A third nest active 

 in 1981 was unsuccessful, possibly due to wind damage sustained 

 in June. It is probable that an additional nest was active in 

 1981. and escaped detection. This was indicated by August sightings 

 of two fledglings on the study area, which known nests could not 

 account for. 



