Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2013
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 4 80 89
Osprey 1 5 6
Bald Eagle 1 2 29
Northern Harrier 0 1 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 12 20
Cooper's Hawk 3 40 51
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 4 51 185
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 6
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
Ferruginous Hawk 0 1 9
Golden Eagle 0 3 6
American Kestrel 2 49 71
Merlin 1 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 1 6 7
Prairie Falcon 0 1 15
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 6 10
Unknown Buteo 0 19 28
Unknown Falcon 0 4 4
Unknown Eagle 0 1 1
Unknown Raptor 0 5 8
Total: 18 287 548
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Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 14:30:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Lee Farrell
Observers: Jennifer Clay, Karen Balog, Linda Farrell, Rob Reilly,
Tiffani Stout
Visitors:
The trail was operating at capacity with hikers, bikers, joggers and dogs.
Several families and groups with children stopped by and inquired as what
we were up to, and a few people who had heard about the hawkwatch stopped
by to see it for themselves.
Having heard about Dino Ridge, John and Vicki Greenwood visited and helped
count birds for a couple of hours. John is a former falconer.
Weather:
A mostly cloudy day with brief periods of sunshine on the hill. Winds
throughout most of the morning were light and out of the southeast. Shortly
after noon (bird time) the winds abruptly switched to a strong breeze from
the northwest for an hour or two. At the end of the afternoon the winds had
dropped off to about bft 1.
Raptor Observations:
An interesting day with 9 species comprising the 18 migrating birds
counted. The day started off with a Merlin passing close to the station in
straight line north.
Local raptors, primarily RTHA and TUVU, were observed frequently
throughout the middle of the day. A local Kestrel flew up on two occasions
at the south end of the ridge, once to harass a COHA and later a local
RTHA. The local RTHAs were performing courtship displays.
We watched two first year GOEA, perhaps siblings, soaring together and
playing in the area of Cabrini for the better part of an hour. They landed
and were on the ground for a period of time on the hillside below Cabrini.
They were not counted.
Non-raptor Observations:
The usual suspects were present again today on the ridge. We were serenaded
throughout the early morning by at least 8 Western Scrub-jay. Other birds
seen or heard included: American Robin, American Crow, Common Raven,
Western Meadowlark, Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee. Black-billed
Magpie, White-throated Swift.
The trail is in good shape with minimal muddy spots.
Predictions:
A prediction of high winds in front of an advancing storm system sounds
like a good recipe for many birds passing close to the ridge.
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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.
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