The Lower Bonne Femme Creek Valley, southwest of Columbia, is one of my favored local birding areas. It is also, in my experience, one of the best locations to observe raptors in this region.
Bisected by the creek and its tributaries, the valley is bounded by forested hills and quilted with farm fields, pastures and riparian woodlands. Turkey vultures, red-tails and red-shouldered hawks are common there and bald eagles are frequent visitors, especially along the Missouri River into which Bonne Femme Creek drains. American kestrels hunt across the fields while sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper's hawks and merlins are attracted by the seasonal flocks of songbirds. Peregrine falcons are also occasional visitors, perching along the river during spring and fall migrations.
Though I seldom visit the Valley at dawn or dusk, I have no doubt that great horned and barred owls also hunt along the pastures and crop fields. Someday, I'll make the effort to confirm that conviction.
