Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 24, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 1 1 1 Bald Eagle 0 6 6 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 3 3 Cooper's Hawk 0 6 6 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 12 80 80 Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1 Ferruginous Hawk 0 2 2 Golden Eagle 0 5 5 American Kestrel 6 12 12 Merlin 0 2 2 Peregrine Falcon 1 2 2 Prairie Falcon 0 5 5 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 2 4 4 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 24 134 134 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Scott Severs, Tim Smart Observers: Dale Ball, Heidi Seeland, Jamie Ball, Tim Smart Visitors: Tim Smart lead a field trip of seven folks from Denver Field Ornithologists to the ridge. 20 hikers stopped and inquired about the Hawk Watch. Weather: Mostly clear and warm, around 18 C all day. Winds averaged 1-3 B from ESE. Visibility good with some distant haziness. Raptor Observations: Finally some double digit days. 24 migrant raptors, plus local Red-tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles. Most activity along western ridge. Activity greatest between 0800-1100 MST (0900-1200 MDT). Non-raptor Observations: Bushtit 3, Spotted Towhee 3, Western Scrub-Jay 2, American Crow 4, Townsend's Solitaire 2, Western Bluebird 4, Tree Swallow 2, Mountain Chickadee 1, American Robin 8, Common Raven 12, Black-billed Magpie 2, Western Meadowlark 1, Predictions: Warm, dry, and windy. Raptors may be high and at limit of observation, scopes recommended. ======================================================================== 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.
