Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 8 32 33 Osprey 0 7 8 Bald Eagle 0 1 7 Northern Harrier 1 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 4 7 Cooper's Hawk 3 18 26 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 7 48 199 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 0 2 9 American Kestrel 7 22 42 Merlin 1 1 3 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 3 Prairie Falcon 0 1 7 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 2 9 13 Unknown Buteo 1 3 11 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 6 Total: 31 151 381 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Chuck Hundertmark Observers: Bill Wuerthele, Joel Chapa, Roger Rouch Visitors: 2 mountain bikers stopped for the view and discussed hawks. 2 hikers stopped to talk about hawks and may come up as observers. Weather: The day began with no cloud cover but quickly moved to 60% by 10 a.m. and remained largely cloudy the remainder of the day. Wind was from the east and southeast most of the count day. There was a brief light rain between 10 and 11 a.m. Visibility was marred by heavy haze. Raptor Observations: There was a slow movement of raptors from 9 a.m. on with peaks between 10-11 a.m. (8 migrants)and 2-3 p.m. (9 migrants). Variety was good with a male Northern Harrier and distant Merlin providing highlights and Turkey Vultures (8), Red-tails (7) and American Kestrels (7) providing the greatest numbers of migrants. Locals included a Red-tail catching a small rodent below the ridge, a courtship flight by the local Prairie Falcon and an appearance by the local immature Golden Eagle. Non-raptor Observations: Elk 22, Mule Deer 9. Spotted Towhee, 4 singing; Mountain Chickadee, 2; Townsend's Solitaire, 2; Western Meadowlark, 4 singing; Common Raven, 3 including courtship flight; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Black-billed Magpie, 3; American Robing, 2; Rock Wren, 1 heard; White-throated Swift, 4 migrants; Bushtit, 1; Western Scrub-jay, 1; American Crow, 2. Predictions: Perhaps will continue with the trend of improving results. ======================================================================== 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.
