Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: May 03, 2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 11 12 101 Osprey 0 4 14 Bald Eagle 0 0 12 Northern Harrier 0 0 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 9 53 Cooper's Hawk 2 4 53 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3 Red-tailed Hawk 2 4 254 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 7 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 0 0 2 American Kestrel 3 3 41 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 10 Prairie Falcon 0 0 12 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 1 1 26 Unknown Buteo 0 0 17 Unknown Falcon 1 2 10 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 8 Total: 22 39 629 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Bill Wuerthele Observers: Roger Rouch Visitors: Jim and Barb Banks and Erin and Dave Bell joined us for several hours in the morning and were a great help in spotting migrating raptors. They are all members of the Golden Concert Choir, and they entertained us by practicing a piece they will perform as a quartet this Saturday night in concert. It was lovely. Weather: It was a very sunny, blue-sky day with minimal (< 5%) cloud cover restricted to the horizons. Winds were from the east and northeast at a steady 4 - 5 bft. Temperatures ranged from 54 - 60 F. Raptor Observations: Migrating Raptors: Almost all of the migrants passed close to or just over the site within the first hour of the watch. Just as we reached the site, eleven Turkey Vultures sailed by and continued north, disappearing toward Table Mesa. Three American Kestrels came by in quick succession low, and just off the west edge of the site. The Accipiters passed just east of the Ridge. After a somewhat busy morning, the afternoon was very slow, with just one migrant recorded, an immature Red-tailed Hawk, passing quite high over the site at the very end of the watch. Non-migrating Raptors: Local Red-tailed Hawks, a local American Kestrel and a local adult Cooper's Hawk all made brief appearances. Local Turkey Vultures sailed up and down the Ridge and to the west, buffeted by the wind. Non-raptor Observations: Non-Raptor Observations: The following species were seen or heard: American Robin, Northern Flicker, Black-billed Magpie, Spotted Towhee, Western Meadowlark, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, White-throated Swift, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Mountain Chickadee, Violet-green Swallow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Yellow-rumped Warbler (a rather continuous stream of Yellow-rumped Warblers passed by the site, in small groups, throughout the watch - not sure of the total number, but lots). Predictions: Based on the last two days, morning seems to be an active time. With a warm, clear, calm day predicted, later migrants may pass quite high. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies ([email protected]) Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 Bird Conservancy of the Rockies from about 9 AM to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th. 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 unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/808e0e03c995a782d8a9f6db8c2a42a8%40www.hawkcount.org. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
