Involving our community

We encourage people to be involved in Citizen Science. Volunteer participation is critical to bird monitoring efforts and Hawks Aloft seeks to engage the local community in such projects. Citizen Science is important as it involves many kinds of people within New Mexico in research studies. Citizen Science makes a critical contribution to such projects and studies.

Please contact us to get involved! We value your input and support.

Current Citizen Science Projects

Raptor Surveys

Since 1994, years, Hawks Aloft has been conducting nest surveys in the Rio Grande Bosque and also in local communities. Active raptor nests, primarily Cooper’s Hawks, are monitored throughout the nesting season by Hawks Aloft staff and volunteers. Staff and volunteers each monitor a specific area from March through August. Their participation is critical to the survey process and enables the annual survey to cover an area from Rio Rancho south to Belen, New Mexico. Additionally, a number of volunteers monitor active nests in their neighborhoods. These data provide meaningful information regarding the number of young fledged, nest densities and different species utilizing these areas.

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HOOT (Hawk & Owl Observation Tracking)

The Hawk & Owl Observation Tracking (HOOT) Project, began as a partnership between Hawks Aloft, Inc, and PNM. The goal of this tracking project is to identify areas with high concentrations of raptors (eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls), or other large birds such as the American Crow and Common Raven in order to help PNM prioritize high raptor use areas. PNM then installs safety features on high risk poles and protect raptors and other large migratory birds from electrocution by utility structures in New Mexico.
In addition to providing useful data, the project also educates and stimulates citizens to be involved in the conservation of these species. This project provides a fascinating introduction to bird watching and environmental stewardship, and complements Hawks Aloft’s educational objectives.

The goals of HOOT are to:

• Educate citizens in New Mexico about raptors and their nesting habitat
• Gather data on the locations of nesting raptors throughout New Mexico
• Encourage participation in citizen science in New Mexico
• Use data to determine nesting success of raptors in New Mexico

Citizens throughout New Mexico are encouraged to submit their observations of nesting raptors (and other large birds) to the HOOT Project for the 2011 breeding season (March to July 2011). These may include:

• Cooper’s Hawk
• American Kestrel
• American Crow
• Swainson’s Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Great Horned Owl
• Western Screech-Owl
• Burrowing Owl
• Common Raven

HOOT forms and resources:

Use one of the Nest Observation forms below to submit your observation of a nesting raptor:

• Online HOOT Nest Observation form
• Download HOOT Nest Observation form to submit via mail

Need help filling out the form? Download the instructions: How to fill out your HOOT Project Data Sheet

Need help with identification? Download the document, Common Raptors and other Large Birds of New Mexico, for more information about the most common raptors found in New Mexico, and the seasons in which they are present.

Please contact hoot@hawksaloft.org if you have any questions or comments.