Raptor Condo with a Penthouse View
George Janicek and his wife Stephanie enjoy their quiet lifestyle above the Yakima River in the rural setting of JackRabbit Ridge. Especially appreciated by the Janiceks is the desert wildlife. After watching one of the area’s many raptors perched atop a short post near his home, George conceived the idea of enhancing the habitat by providing “raptor poles” in the vicinity of the ridge.
He presented his idea to the Benton Rural Electric Association (Benton REA), the Columbia Irrigation District (CID), and neighbors. The Benton REA agreed to donate two utility poles and their services in erecting the nesting platform pole. The CID Board of Directors agreed to allow the poles to be located within CID easements and to erect the perching pole. A neighbor, Donna Lucas, volunteered to research nesting platforms appropriate for the local bird species and placement of the poles.
George then designed and constructed a nesting platform for one of the poles and a simple perch for the other. The more difficult part of this endeavor was affixing the assembled nesting platform to the top of a pole, a task in which he was ably assisted by neighbors Louis Jensen and John Erben. The CID facilitated by laying the top of the pole at eye-level, overhanging a dirt berm.
The target location was Jackrabbit Ridge nestled above the west side of the Yakima River between the cities of Richland and West Richland (see map). The CID irrigation canal runs along the bottom of the ridge. Northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, kestrels and other raptors frequent this area in search of prey, primarily mice, rabbits and hares.
George Janicek designed and constructed this raptor nesting platform.
An Intricate Relationship
Lucas solicited input from the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society and US Fish and Wildlife biologist Heidi Newsome. Ms. Newsome advised;
"Many of our desert wildlife species, such as long-billed curlew, require open habitat. The natural landscape in this area historically didn't have many trees or tall vegetation, and desert wildlife are not used to those kinds of features in their habitat. So, careful and thoughtful placement of these types of structures is important."
The challenge of planning such a project is finding a location that provides a chance to view and enjoy the raptors without adversely impacting the present predator/prey relationship. Of particular concern was the nesting field of the Long Billed Curlew located to the west of the ridge. The solution was to position the poles far enough down the east face of the slope so as to provide sufficient habitat for both raptors and the Curlew.
Placing the Poles
On June 22, the CID used their track-hoe to move the nesting platform pole assembly to the selected placement location.
CID Moves Nesting Platform Pole
The following morning, workers from the Benton REA erected the nesting platform pole in a secluded location between W.E. Johnson Park and Richland's City View retail and business center.
REA Workers Dig Hole for the Pole
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Guiding the Pole into the Hole |
Detaching the Crane |
"Thank You" to John, Eddie, Jon and Dan, and Benton REA for their support
on this project.
Raptor residents will enjoy a penthouse view of wild areas along the Yakima River.
Penthouse View of the Yakima River and W.E Johnson Park
On June 28, the CID erected the perching pole midway down the slope on the northwest end of JackRabbit Ridge.
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Setting Perching Pole into Hole |
Backfilling |
"Thank You" to Pat, Bob and the CID. In the background are JackRabbit
Ridge, Badger Mountain and Little Badger.
Enjoyed by Many
Julie Nelson and Ellen Rector are regular visitors to the JackRabbit Ridge area.
“We walk for our health and because the dogs, of course, love it. We enjoy all sorts of birds (occasional meadowlark, gold finches, orioles, kingbirds, egrets, blue herons, white pelicans, etc.), as we walk. We have seen many different raptors, especially in the winter. We have also seen a couple of deer, and a few coyotes. There is a large population of skunks and raccoons. A few years ago a mallard duck raised a family in the irrigation canal. Her family was successful enough that this year we had no fewer than six groups of ducklings raised in the canal.”
Nelson, Rector and their border collies, Lola, Dominique
and Simone, hiking along the foot of JackRabbit Ridge
Scott Woodward, president of the Tapteal Greenway Association praised everyone’s efforts and noted,
“Connective habitat corridors are crucial to maintaining wildlife amidst urban sprawl. JackRabbit Ridge in connection with the Tapteal Greenway is a classic example set amidst the urban growth areas of Richland and West Richland. Without these corridors and connectivity we lose the wildness of our community.”
“The Cooperative Way”
Regarding the raptor pole project, Larry Fox, Manager of the CID commented,
“These types of projects take a collaborative effort to be successful. There was a great effort by all to bring this project to fruition and provide enhanced habitat for raptors along the Yakima River.”Charles Dawsey, General Manager and Executive Vice President of the Benton Rural Electric Association, stated,
“We are especially sensitive to the needs of our consumers because we are owned and controlled by our member/consumers. In addition to providing quality electric service and being very active in community and economic development, we also pride ourselves in being good stewards of the environment. It is important for Benton REA to do its part in preserving the environment and quality of life of the rural settings. This project is a great example of people working together towards a common goal, after all that is The Cooperative Way.”