2 weeks Ago By Corbett Stevenson
After three years of work, Broomfield’s Open Space and Trails department received unanimous approval from city council this week on its raptor management plan. The goal of the nearly 50-page document is to protect some of Broomfield’s most important bird species, including its eagles, hawks and falcons. The city and county are home to more than 20 species of raptors.
“We’re really excited and happy to have this approved. Raptors are such important birds,” said Lexi Brewer, Broomfield’s open space and trails coordinator. Raptors are characterized by their carnivorous diets, hooked beaks and sharp talons.
They prey on rabbits, snakes, small rodents and scavenged meat. “Raptors are a top predator, and their existence in an ecosystem indicates healthy habitats and a happy prey base,” Brewer said. Open space workers want to educate the community about raptors, develop a raptor monitoring program and enhance and protect raptor habitats in Broomfield, now that the plan has been passed.
They also want to develop a database of raptor nest locations for monitoring and data collection and install nesting platforms and boxes for raptors in open spaces. “This plan was really driven by the community — people have a desire to protect these birds,” Brewer said. “With education as one of the most important components of the plan, we really encourage folks to read through it and learn more.
” The raptor management plan as well as other information on wildlife coexistence with Broomfield’s furry, feathered and scaled residents can be found at broomfield.org/Wildlife..
