Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 14, 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 6 6 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 Cooper's Hawk 1 3 3 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 1 32 32 Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1 Ferruginous Hawk 0 2 2 Golden Eagle 0 2 2 American Kestrel 1 3 3 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Prairie Falcon 0 5 5 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 0 2 2 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 1 1 Total: 4 62 62 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Jennifer Hyypio Observers: Bill Wuerthele, Janet Shin Visitors: Bob Righter visited the site at 10:00 and shared bird stories. Patricia stopped by and asked good questions which Bill Wuerthele and Janet Shin answered with ease. Later in the day Bea, Susan and Dan stopped by. Dan stayed a while and looked at some of the bird books we had on hand. Weather: A cool morning with temperatures rising steady as the day progressed. Winds started from the W to NW and then E for 4 hours, ending the day from the W. Breezy throughout the day with a slight increase towards the end of the day. High, thin clouds with good visibility. Raptor Observations: There were three migrating raptors, a Red-tailed hawk, Cooper's hawk and a female American Kestrel. We watched the Red-tailed climb a thermal to the top and then glide over to the next thermal heading north. The Kestrel flew over our heads north up the ridge. The Cooper's hawk interacted with the resident Kestrel and then flew north. We also had an early morning adult Bald Eagle flap west towards Morrison Hill. A pair of Red-tailed hawks exhibited courting behavior at different times throughout the day. Mostly to the south and west of the ridge. Non-raptor Observations: Robins in flocks of seven and four, Magpies, Scrub Jays, a couple of Mountain Bluebirds, Northern Flicker and Townsend's Solitaires calling. We also observed two Ravens cavorting and one had a beak full of string-like nesting material. Predictions: We hoped our hours of east winds would carry more migrants. Perhaps if the winds continue from the east/southeast tomorrow it will bring them your way. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.bi...@rmbo.org) 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 cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
