Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 03, 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 1 1 1 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 3 5 5 Rough-legged Hawk 1 1 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 1 1 1 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 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 6 9 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Lee Farrell, Roger Rouch Observers: Chuck Hundertmark, Lee Farrell, Roger Rouch Visitors: Surprisingly there were a large number of hikers and runners today, the very few that stopped by asked for directions to the dinosaur tracks. Weather: Windy and cold, a play day for the Ravens, high winds provided the perfect playground for them. Winds were at a Beaufort 5 when we arrived in the morning, lightened perhaps to a 4 around noon, then heightening to likely an 8 at 3:00 PM. Raptor Observations: Six migrating raptors were counted today, determination of a northerly flight pattern was complicated by the high winds. Highlight of the day was a Rough-legged Hawk at about 12:30 PM, binocular high over the ridge and blown to the east as it passed the station. What was believed to be five local resident Red-tailed hawks were seen off and on during the day. One pair displayed breeding behavior, synchronized soaring, leg dropping, on a couple of occasions, there was some interplay with a third Red-tailed. One resident Golden Eagle was harassed/escorted, by the pair of Red-tailed. The last raptor of the day, a migrating Red-tailed, was observed just shortly after 2:00 PM. No large birds, not even a Raven was seen after that. Lack of birds and very high winds, observations were ceased at 3:30 PM. Non-raptor Observations: Wind and cold were such that observations along the west face of the ridge was impossible. How windy was it, upon arriving at the site, Chuck’s favorite hat was removed from his head and was estimated to have made Nebraska by noon. When a Townsend’s dared to fly above the wind shadow of the ridge to our amazement it was blown back to the east like a leaf in the wind. If it were not for the Juniper at the center of the station blocking the wind, the day would have been lost. Three Townsend’s Solitaires on the east side of the ridge kept us company throughout the day. Ravens, 17 were counted, most of them giving the impression they were headed north as if in migration, 5 were later seen heading south along the east side of the ridge, and were not counted in the 17. At least 4 Magpies were seen, along with 1 Northern Flicker, 1 American Robin, and Chickadees were heard close by. Predictions: High winds are predicted again tomorrow; dress warm enough to stick it out. Considering the conditions, a good and very enjoyable day of birding today, expect tomorrow to be much the same. Rough-legged are usually seen in the early season, tomorrow could produce another. ======================================================================== 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.
