Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 10, 2012
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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 6 6
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0
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 6 27 27
Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Ferruginous Hawk 1 2 2
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 0 1 1
Merlin 1 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Prairie Falcon 1 5 5
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 9 51 51
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Scott Severs
Observers: Gary Rossmiller, Jim Schmoker, Lee Farrell, Linda Farrell,
Pete Plage, Tiffani Stout
Visitors:
Eight volunteers today including Bonnie Boex. Twenty-four hikers/bikers
stopped by and asked about the hawkwatch.
Weather:
Mostly sunny, temperature ranged from 12-17C. Wind mostly light out of
S-SE, ranging from 1 - 3 Beaufort. Visibility 16 km.
Raptor Observations:
Few migrants today, best bird was a Ferruginous Hawk that lifted off near
the east side of the ridge at 9am. A Merlin sped quickly by the west side
in the afternoon. A fair amount of activity from local Red-tailed Hawks and
Golden Eagles. Red-tails were aggressively stooping on the eagles and
eagles were performing roller coaster display.
Non-raptor Observations:
Townsend's Solitaires were common, a few Mountain Bluebirds. We observed
our first Spring White (Pontia sisymbrii).
Predictions:
Similar to today, warm and clear. Birds may be high and mostly to west of
ridge. Better viewing conditions early in survey period, with more cloud
cover to help find birds.
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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.
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