Caretakers Project #1

Project Synopsis:
The initial goal of this project is to erect 2 artificial nesting platforms for Ferruginous Hawks in the Comanche National Grasslands. It is also the goal of the project that all funding for the project be generated or donated by the Caretakers program with no federal or state funding assistance. Lastly it is a goal that all the labor involved be donated by the Colorado Hawking Club.

The project was completed on Match 19, the planned completion date. Thanks to all those involved (see below). The project was a complete success! Although this was a smaller project, it allowed the caretakers program to be kicked off and to score it's first success. Thanks to all those involved and especially Steve Beach for heading up the project (which I don't think he really signed up for), and Gordon Grenfell for the inspiration and idea for the project. Both planned platforms were installed, and with a little luck will be used in the next year or two. Special thanks also goes out to Darren Mayers of Comanche National Grasslands for allowing access to the property being the Grasslands guide, proviing some of the tools and lending a hand. And for trusting in a falconry organization to do this type of work.

Total expenditures for the project amounted to: $440.28 cents. ( $220.14 platform). It is not yet determined the impact to to the club as some of the funds were donated to the project.
Also of note is that an estimated 300 hours of club labor went into the project. in total by 13 different club members. In all a resounding success for the Caretakers fist project!

Comanche Grasslands - Timpas Unit
1420 E Third St
La Junta, CO 81050
phone: (719) 384-2181

Here is a map with the installation locations of the platforms.

Special Thanks to all the Volunteers on this project! (So far...)

Steve Beach Gordon Grenfell Rick Phelps Ben Phelps Sam Dollar

Tom Richard Russell Richard Roger Tucker Paul Bicknell Rob Palmer

Pete Rodas Darren Meyers (Comanche Grasslands) Anne Price

All,
I wanted to tell you guys a funny story that came out of my work acquiring the materials for the Ferruginous nest poles.

The guy I bought the posts from has a lumber yard and they make pallets. It is apparently a family business. He asked me who to make out the receipt to and when I told him "Colorado Hawking Club" he asked me some questions about falconry. I told him my Harris hawk catches rabbits and a few quail. It turns out the lumber guy is really into quail hunting with gun dogs. He has land he stocks with quail. He also told me about a pointer he has that is a really talented dog but has gotten afraid of gunfire. So we put 2 and 2 together and decided we ought to try hunting with my bird and his dog. Now that is what I call an unexpected dividend from helping the club!

Steve Beach

Special Thanks to all the Volunteers on this project! (So far...)
Steve Beach	Gordon Grenfell	Rick Phelps	Ben Phelps	Sam Dollar
Tom Richard	Russell Richard	Roger Tucker	Paul Bicknell	Rob Palmer
Pete Rodas	Darren Meyers (Comanche Grasslands)		Anne Price