Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 27, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 2 112 113 Osprey 0 13 14 Bald Eagle 0 2 8 Northern Harrier 1 5 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 19 22 Cooper's Hawk 2 59 67 Northern Goshawk 0 2 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 11 11 Red-tailed Hawk 0 78 229 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2 Swainson's Hawk 2 12 13 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 0 3 10 American Kestrel 0 81 101 Merlin 0 3 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 6 9 Prairie Falcon 0 4 10 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 2 34 38 Unknown Buteo 0 14 22 Unknown Falcon 0 6 7 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 9 13 Total: 10 473 703 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Dave Hill Observers: Cynthia Madsen, Michael Kiessig Visitors: 3 visitors arrived including Rob R., a Jefferson County Volunteer. In addition, 7 bikers, 15 hikers, 2 runners and 1 dog made their way past our lookout during our 6-hour observation period. Weather: Good visibility and strong, northerly, non-stop winds averaging 20 mph, with gusts to 43 mph, prevailed throughout our observation period. Skies were overcast @ 30% for the first 3 hours but diminished to 5% by the end. Raptor Observations: Most of today's raptors flew in close proximity to the ridge allowing detailed observation. Observations of local raptors include sightings of Turkey Vultures (9), Cooper's Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (14), Golden Eagle (1), American Kestrel (5) and Prairie Falcon (1). Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptor sightings included Great Blue Heron (1), White-throated Swift (14), Broad-tailed Hummingbird (3), Western Scrub-Jay (2), Black-billed Magpie (2), Common Raven (7), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2), American Robin (4), Spotted Towhee (4), and Western Meadowlark (3). 24 Elk were observed grazing and relaxing at Apex Park. ======================================================================== 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.
