Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 29, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 1 1
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 1 25 25
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 5 5
Cooper's Hawk 3 13 13
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 11 123 123
Rough-legged Hawk 0 7 7
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
Ferruginous Hawk 0 7 7
Golden Eagle 0 6 6
American Kestrel 0 13 13
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
Prairie Falcon 0 5 5
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 5 5
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 4 4
Total: 16 217 217
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Lee Farrell
Observers: Jim Banks, Joe Lupfer, Karen Clark, Linda Farrell,
Matt Stickel, Mitchell Blystone
Visitors:
Good weather brought out a good number of people to the trail system. A few
of the individuals visiting the station expressed interest, a couple of
them being bird watchers stated that they would be up again armed with
their binoculars.
Weather:
A nice sunny day with high temperatures in the low 60s (F) and
comparatively low winds around 2 (BFT) provided an enjoyable day on the
ridge. A high thin cloud layer covered much of the sky until midafternoon.
Percentages of cloud cover reported are areas of high but thicker, denser,
cloud cover.
Raptor Observations:
A total of 16 migrating raptors were observed with the large majority of
activity occurring between 10:00 AM and noon.
The number of local Red-tailed Hawks observed seemed to be diminished as
compared to prior weeks, perhaps they are now spending more time sitting on
nests. Local raptors included perhaps two male American Kestrels,
Red-tailed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons.
Non-raptor Observations:
A couple of species of butterfly were seen today, most notably the Mourning
Cloak. Deer were seen grazing below the station at the eastern slope of the
ridge.
Other bird species seen or heard included: Canada Geese, American Crow,
Common Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, Townsend's Solitaire, American Robin,
Spotted Towhee, Western Scrub Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Western Meadowlark,
and Northern Flicker.
Predictions:
More of the same is as a good of a prediction as any, only the birds know
for sure.
========================================================================
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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