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Rebuilding the Raptor Blind

We’re excited to share that we will be returning to normal operations for our Lucky Peak raptor banding station in 2025.

a square plywood blind not much bigger than a garden shed
Our old raptor trapping blind at Lucky Peak

In the aftermath of the Valley Fire in October 2024, our raptor trapping blind was one of the biggest losses for IBO’s Lucky Peak Research Station. For more than 30 years it was at the heart of our raptor banding and monitoring research: This blind stood back when we were the “Boise Ridge Raptor Migration Project”: before IBO was named IBO!

old logo from the boise ridge raptor migraiton project shows a silhouette of a falcon flying over the Boise skyline and mountains

After the fire, we knew that rebuilding our blind would be a huge undertaking: from the re-design, to construction, everything would need to be hand-built to make sure it met all the needs of our raptor team.

a man holds a hand saw up to a rough plywood structure as he helps build it
The new trapping blind coming together. Photo credit: Greg Kaltenecker

Thankfully, we were able to call in a great team to take on the job! This summer, Greg, David Kembel (who drove all the way from Montana to help!), Pete Lounsberry, Jim James, and Kevin Warner teamed up to build the new trapping blind. Thank you!

three older gentlemen stand smiling inside the newly built plywood blind
Thanks to our dedicated volunteers! Photo credit: Greg Kaltenecker

After the blind was built, more volunteers teamed up and spent long, hot days in the sun getting it set up on the peak. And here are the results!

Two people using shovels clear out the burned debris, leveling the site.
Clearing out burned debris and leveling the site. Photo credit: Jim James
Volunteers constructing the walls of the blind.
Setting up the walls. Photo Credit: Rob Miller

We’re ready to go and excited to see what migration 2025 has in store!

This is just one of many examples of volunteers stepping in to help us rebuild in the aftermath of the fire. We are so grateful for everyone’s help on this and other projects!