Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 01, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
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 0 0 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 1 1 1 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Prairie Falcon 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 1 1 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours Official Counter: Bill Wuerthele Observers: Visitors: No visitors. Three hikers seen on the trail below the site, but no one stopped by. Weather: Cloudy and cold, with temperatures in low 30s. Generally light east winds until 11:00 am; then wind picked up somewhat, shifting to North/Northwest. Cloud cover 80% at 9:00 am, increasing to 100% by noon. Snow flurries beginning at 10:30 am, with heavier snow by noon. Visibility greater than 25K (to the east and south) in the morning decreasing to less than 3K by noon. By 11:15 am, I could no longer see the Cabrini Shrine or the towers on Mt. Morrison. Note: Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit; Environmental data, other than cloud cover and wind speed/direction are from weather station at Rooney Road; Bar. pressure not available. Raptor Observations: Very little raptor activity. Only 1 migrant. At 9:30 am, a Golden Eagle was seen flying south along the West Ridge. At 10:00, am, an adult Red-tailed Hawk (in scope) was seen soaring above the Cabrini Shrine. After gaining considerable altitude, it began a long glide to the north. Followed it until it became a binocular dot, kept going (first migrant of 2012). At about 10:15 am, two adult Golden Eagles were seen soaring above Dinosaur ridge to the south. Gaining altitude and drifting north, they soared right over the observation site. At their high point, one bird briefly stooped on the other. Then both went into a long glide to the southwest, disappearing over Mt. Morrison (assume locals). Weather closed in; no more raptor activity noted. At 1:00 pm, with limited visibility, worsening weather, blowing snow, and no raptor activity in over two hours, I left the site. Non-raptor Observations: Very limited non-raptor activity as well. 2 Solitaires; several small flocks of Robins moving both north and south along the ridge and feeding in the junipers; 2 Magpies; 4 Crows; and 3 Ravens. Predictions: If the storm moves out tonight, tomorrow could be good. ======================================================================== 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 is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge 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 Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks 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 generally staffed by volunteers from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 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.
