Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 15, 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 20 20 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 4 4 Cooper's Hawk 0 2 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 5 55 55 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 9 9 Golden Eagle 1 8 8 American Kestrel 0 2 2 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Prairie Falcon 0 4 4 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 1 9 9 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 2 Total: 7 115 115 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Jason Beason Observers: Gary Rossmiller Visitors: Jennie Girard and Mellisa Smith between 11am and noon Weather: Overcast morning, clearing to the west. Cool day with light breezes. Controlled grass burn to the south at Bear Creek Reservoir/Soda Lakes contributed to the haze. Burn was over shortly after noon. Some small ash fall present, smoke scent strong at times. Afternoon was quite clear with sun. Raptor Observations: Very slow until early afternoon, even small local birds weren't present. Raptors flew on both sides of the ridge, closer to Mt. Morrison later in the day. Birds first sighted by The Needle area in general. Height of flight varied from code 1 early to code 3 later in day. Non-raptor Observations: Predictions: Supposed to be very warm tomorrow. A seasoned watcher with excellent equipment should be on hand. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory ([email protected]) Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.org/ Site Description: Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado, and may be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcon and Ferruginous Hawk are uncommon; Northern Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders are always welcome. The hawkwatch is staffed by the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory generally from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of March to the first week of May. Directions to site: >From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take left into first parking lot, the Stegosaurus lot. Follow small signs from the south side of lot to hawkwatch site. The hike starts heading east on an old two-track and quickly turns south onto a trail on the west side of the ridge. When the trail nears the top of the ridge, turn left, head through the gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, flat area at the crest of the ridge. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
