Raptor Fest Field Trip to Dedication Point with Eden Ravecca and Zoe Bonerbo

By Annabel Christiansen

Before the festivities of Raptor Fest, I joined local raptor researchers Eden Ravecca and Zoe Bonerbo for a morning expedition into the Snake River Canyon for some bird watching and wildlife spotting.

Pre-Festival Birding Adventure

On the morning of June 7th, BOPP hosted a pre-Raptor Fest field trip for the public to enjoy. We were led by Eden Ravecca and Zoe Bonerbo, prominent raptor researchers working within the NCA. Eden has earned her Master’s of Science in Raptor Biology from Boise State University, and is working towards a PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. Her research focuses on evaluating habitat change on predators and prey in southwest Idaho, and more specifically, within the NCA. Zoe is currently pursuing her Master’s of Science in Raptor Biology, and works at the Quantitative Conservation Lab at Boise State University. Her work centers around the health and population of prairie falcons residing in the NCA.

Dedication Point and Canyon Views

We met as a group at Dedication Point, which is one of the most iconic spots in the NCA. After a brief introduction, we hopped back in our cars and made our way down the canyon towards Swan Falls Dam. It was a beautiful, sunny morning, and the view from the canyon was breathtaking. Once we met up again at the bottom, Zoe set up a scope of a nearby prairie falcon nest. There were three fuzzy white chicks pressed up against the canyon wall.

Shortly after, we began a relaxing walk through the canyon, following the Snake River and keeping our eyes peeled for any wildlife. We saw many raptors, including prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, and even a few American kestrels! There were many songbirds to be found in the marshes along the Snake River, and we even saw a few reptiles, including a common sagebrush lizard and a small gopher snake hiding in a bush.

Connecting with Fellow Birders

There were about 15 attendees - all were avid outdoor and bird enthusiasts. It was wonderful to be able to spend the morning with so many like minded individuals, and I had many great conversations about recreating and birding in the NCA.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I am so grateful that I got to be a part of it! Zoe and Eden were amazing hosts, and gave so much valuable insight and knowledge into the bird and wildlife species that reside in the NCA. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for future field trips led by BOPP!

Find out more about BOPP’s work here

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