[Birdtalk] increase in raptor numbers?

[Betsy_Beneke at fws.gov]

Utah Birders:

What period of time in the late winter or early spring do the number of
migrant raptors really begin to increase in northern Utah?

I now have this wonderful, north-facing office window in our new building.
I've watched lots of harriers hunting nearby marshes and pastures all
winter.  An occasional rough-legged or red-tailed hawk fly by or perch on
the large power lines along I-15.  Bald eagles fly over as well.  I've even
had a prairie falcon, since November, that will occasionally perch on top
of the parking lot light pole outside my window.  What a treat THAT has
been!

But just in the last week or so, I've seen sharpies or Cooper's hawks in
the area, that I haven't noticed before.  I can't always grab my binocs
quickly enough to tell which species they are - and they're often at a
distance - but I'm sure they're one species of the other.  I'm just
wondering if it's time for birds to begin moving through - but I haven't
lived here long enough to know this.  Of course, I realize it could be the
same one or two birds that just happen to have moved into the area, but it
seems like I've been seeing more in the general area too - not just out my
window.  Is this a time of year when they could start showing up from parts
south?

Thanks!

Betsy Beneke
Outdoor Recreation Planner
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
2155 West Forest Street
Brigham City UT  84302
435.734.6436  office
435.452.8468  cell
http://bearriver.fws.gov