Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: May 05, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 5 17 132 Osprey 0 0 16 Bald Eagle 0 0 8 Northern Harrier 0 0 6 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 1 27 Cooper's Hawk 1 5 75 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 12 Red-tailed Hawk 5 11 245 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2 Swainson's Hawk 1 3 17 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 0 0 10 American Kestrel 1 3 105 Merlin 0 0 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 11 Prairie Falcon 0 0 10 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 2 43 Unknown Buteo 0 0 25 Unknown Falcon 0 0 7 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 14 Total: 14 42 774 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours Official Counter: Lee Farrell Observers: Cyndy Johnson, Gary Rossmiller Visitors: A few hikers came up into the site and asked what we doing, none of them expressed a serious internest. Weather: A nice day, temperatures in the low 80's, light breeze out of the east all day long. High cloud cover provided very good conditions for observation. Raptor Observations: A majority of the migrating raptors observed today moved steadily, quickly and directly north. Like they were late for the party and knew it. Most of the local RT and TV action occured along the west ridge today. A "committee" of as many as nine TVs roamed the length of the west ridge. Two pair of RTs were observed in a limited altercation. A local Swainson's Hawk was hunting the west slope of Green Mountain from high in the valley as it kited along to the south. (Either seen twice or two birds.) Non-raptor Observations: Highlight of the day was easily the Lewis's Woodpecker that flew thorugh the station at about 9:20 AM Bird Time. It landed on the bare limbs of the pine at the south end of the visible ridge, then moving to the adjacent snag to the east. We were able to view it through the scope for several minutes. A small young rattlesnake showed up in the rocks right in the middle of our things near the central highpoint of the station. A second small rattlesnake was seen on the trail near the parking lot on our way down. Non-raptors, the usual suspects, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Spotted Towees, White-throated Swifts, Scrub Jays, Blue Jay, Western Meadowlark, American Robin, Great Blue Heron, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Barn Swallow, Common Raven. Predictions: The morning could be much like today with a few migrating raptors moving through. Thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, give lightning the respect it's due, the site is very exposed. ======================================================================== 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.
