Birds at the Rawhide Energy Station - The 2003 Ryder Report

Since 1986 Dr. Ronald A. Ryder, Professor Emeritus, Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology, Colorado State University, has conducted an ongoing study of migrating bird populations using the Rawhide Energy Station site. His objective is to document, by species and population numbers, birds frequenting Hamilton Reservoir at Rawhide and the adjacent wetland and surrounding short-grass prairies at key periods of the year. He also determines peaks of migration, routs, places of breeding, and wintering areas for the more abundant species.

The program involves capturing and banding various species of waterbirds. Since the start of banding in 1986, 282 banded waterfowl have been reported as shot, found dead, or retrapped at the bandsite or other banding sites. Most (147) have been Mallards (Colorado 112, Alberta 9, Wyoming 7, and Nebraska 5; two each in New Mexico, AR and Saskatchewan; one each in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Oklahoma, California and Northwest Territory). Next have been American Coots (26) as follows: Colorado 15; Mexico 4; and one each in Michigan , Texas , Oklahoma , Nebraska , Minnesota , Ohio , California and Alaska . Twenty-five each Canada Geese and Redheads have been reported: Canada Geese -- Colorado 21, Montana 2, and one each Saskatchewan and Alberta . The 25 Redheads were Texas 8, Mexico 4, two each in Nebraska, Alberta, Colorado and one each in Washington, California, Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah and Montana. Eighteen Northern Pintails were reported as follows: Colorado 10, California 4, and one each in Alaska , Oklahoma , Saskatchewan and Nebraska . Seventeen Gadwalls were as follows; Colorado 5, Texas 4, Louisiana 4, Oklahoma 2 and one each in Alaska and Mexico . Sixteen American Wigeon recoveries were; Mexico 7, Colorado 4, and one each in California , Washington , New Mexico and Alaska . Eight Green-winged Teal were in California 4, and one each in Colorado , Saskatchewan , Alberta and Mexico .

Dr. Ryder has coordinated studies for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the U.S. Public Health Service documenting the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, Vibrio cholerae, equine encephalitis and West Nile Virus, if observed, in the migratory species.

During 2003, 25 counts and two banding trips were conducted. Counts indicated far fewer birds used Rawhide compared to the previous 16 years, probably because of drought, maintenance and construction activities, and the reduced abundance of aquatic plants (food) resulting from efficient feeding by three species of herbivorous carp.

Dr. Ryder has presented findings to the Colorado Field Ornithologists, the Wildlife Society, the International Ornithological Congress of New Zealand, the Colorado-Wyoming Academy of Sciences and the Cooper Ornithological Society. Dr. Ryder has hosted many ornithological organizations on field trips to Rawhide and conducts the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count (an international event) which includes the Rawhide Energy Station.

2000 Ryder Report
2001 Ryder Report
2002 Ryder Report
2004 Ryder Report
2005 Ryder Report
2006 Ryder Report
2007 Ryder Report

Statistics HTML pages:

Birds 1986-2011 (pdf) 8.5X14 (legal-sized)