Broomfield Raptor Management Plan
Broomfield is fortunate to have a variety of active raptor populations thriving in a suburban setting. However, these majestic birds, which include species like Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks, are sensitive to human disturbances. The City and County of Broomfield is taking a proactive approach to protect and enhance raptor habitat and breeding success within the region. Open Space and Trails Staff, along with a team of ecological consultants from Smith Environmental and Engineering, are actively developing a Raptor Management Plan. This plan will seek to protect raptors, identify and enhance raptor habitat in Broomfield, and recommend best practices to promote raptor breeding and nesting success.
The team presented its initial approach to the plan in September 2021 (Raptor Plan Overview) and a progress report and outlined plan in October of 2022 (see presentation below). You can learn more about the plan and leave your comments below.
Raptor Management Plan Outline:
- Introduction
- Raptor Biology
- Raptor Regulations and Policies
- Completed Public Engagement Strategies
- Priority Habitat in Broomfield
- Analysis of Causes of Raptor Fatality
Updates:
Winter is an important time for raptors, especially those that over-winter here in Broomfield. Broomfield birds have many strategies to cope with the winter cold which you can read about here and here.
Outside of eating and staying warm, winter is an important time for the reproductive cycle of birds. You’ll see many birds starting to begin courting and nest building or nest stealing activities. See below the nesting life cycle and breeding guide for many raptor species found here in Broomfield. This table will be integrated into the Raptor Management Plan as a guide to promote policies that ensure raptor breeding success.
Exhibit 1. Broomfield Raptor Breeding Guide
Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Incubation Period |
Bald Eagle | * | * | * | * | * | 35 days | |||||||
Golden Eagle | * | * | * | * | 41-45 days | ||||||||
Osprey | * | * | * | * | 38 days | ||||||||
Cooper’s Hawk | * | * | * | 36 days | |||||||||
Sharp-shinned Hawk | * | * | * | * | 30-35 days | ||||||||
Red-tailed Hawk | * | * | * | * | 28 days | ||||||||
Ferruginous Hawk | * | * | * | 32 days | |||||||||
Swainson’s Hawk | * | * | * | * | 35 days | ||||||||
Northern Harrier | * | * | 24-30 days | ||||||||||
American Kestrel | * | * | * | * | * | 29- 31 days | |||||||
Prairie Falcon | * | * | * | 29-39 days | |||||||||
Burrowing Owl | * | * | * | * | 30-37 days | ||||||||
Great-horned Owl | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | 28-30 days | |||||
Eastern Screech Owl | * | * | * | 26- 34 days | |||||||||
Common Barn Owl | * | * | * | * | * | 30 days | |||||||
Turkey Vulture | * | * | * | 38-41 days |
Shaded cells represent the active nesting period; asterisks represent the period of nests with young.
Get Involved:
- Using the questions and poll below submit your inquiries about raptors. What do you know? What would you like to know?
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