Hawks Aloft, Inc.
Conservation, Avian Research, and Education
PO Box 10028 - Albuquerque, NM 87184 - (505) 828-9455

 

Avian Mitigations

Most birds are protected under one or more Federal statutes including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, or the Endangered Species Act.  Hawks Aloft works directly with many organizations throughout New Mexico to care for injured birds, and to solve bird mitigation issues.  When a bird or nest is in danger, Hawks Aloft assesses the situation, determines the necessary actions, assists the client in contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife office in order to obtain the appropriate permits, and performs whatever actions must be done.  If eggs or young birds must be relocated, Hawks Aloft determines an area suitable for relocation, or transports the eggs or young to a local wildlife rehabilitator.  Often, no action needs to be taken other than allowing the nest and breeding birds time to finish raising the young.  By working with Hawks Aloft to solve avian issues, clients protect local avian wildlife as well as ensure they are complying with the many avian laws and regulations. 

These Red-tailed Hawk chicks were found in a nest along the high-wall of an active mine in northern New Mexico.  The nest was in danger, and the young needed to be rescued.  The eggs were hatched in an incubator, raised by an educational bird, and then released into the wild. 

Success Stories:

Client: Public Service Company of New Mexico  (PNM)

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus): Hawks Aloft worked closely with PNM in 2004 to rescue injured birds and mitigate disturbance to nests.  PNM discovered an active Killdeer nest in their Belen Service Center parking lot.  Because the nest was in an area of high vehicle traffic, and moving the nest was not feasible, we transported the eggs to a rehabilitator.  Two eggs successfully hatched, and the rehabilitator raised the young and released them in suitable Killdeer habitat. 

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis): PNM discovered a Western Kingbird nest with young on a transformer they intended to replace.  After consulting with us, they insulated the transformer to protect the birds, and postponed their plans to replace the transformer until after the anticipated fledging date.  At another kingbird nest in the egg-laying stage, we worked with PNM to hold the nest for 90 minutes while their crew replaced the transformer.  We enjoy working with PNM and appreciate their interest in avian conservation.

Client: BHP Billiton Coal

 BHP Billiton Coal of New Mexico contracted Hawks Aloft in July, 2004 to mitigate an active Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) colony nesting on mining equipment at the La Plata Coal Mine.  The equipment could not be left undisturbed, and the swallows had to be moved.  We worked with mine personnel to carefully remove all 27 young from the nests, including 24 swallows and three House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus).  We transported the young to rehabilitators at Wildlife Rescue of New Mexico for rearing and eventual release.  Sixteen of the 24 swallows and 2 of the 3 finches survived.  Most of these birds were released in 2004, but a few were released in 2005.

Client:  Central New Mexico Electric Coop

The Central New Mexico Electric Coop (CNMEC) received the Hawks Aloft 2004 Conservation Award for their efforts to protect nesting Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis)  in the Estancia Valley.  This rural, electric cooperative responded immediately when they learned of an active Ferruginous nest in their area.  They worked with Hawks Aloft employees Ron Kellermueller, Seamus Breslin, and Will Keeley.  They provided a bucket truck and crew to install a video camera to monitor prey deliveries to the young.  Then, after the young fledged, they returned, dismantled the equipment on the power pole, and lifted and replaced the original nest on a new, safe nesting platform.  The cost to the CNMEC was considerable.  We salute them for their proactive efforts to protect nesting Ferruginous Hawks. 

Burrowing Owls

Photograph © D. Powell

Hawks Aloft works cooperatively with clients to ensure protection of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) and their nests at development sites.  Because Burrowing Owls nest in open areas, using old prairie dog burrows, they are occasionally threatened by development.  In 2004, we conducted Burrowing Owl surveys for Sandia Pueblo on land designated for a golf course.  We located 6 owls and recommended that construction activities be delayed until it could be certain that all breeding activity was complete.  The pueblo complied with our recommendations.  Our owl observations occurred near only three of the eighteen holes on the course so the pueblo was able to continue construction on the unaffected areas.  Several young were observed in early August, indicating that the delay in construction probably saved at least one active nest. 

Hawks Aloft performs countless other raptor and song bird mitigations every year.  For more information, contact Gail Garber at (505) 828-9455.