Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 25, 2022
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 1 1 1
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 10 26 26
Northern Harrier 1 4 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 4 4
Cooper's Hawk 1 2 2
Northern Goshawk 0 2 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 68 186 186
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
Ferruginous Hawk 21 43 43
Golden Eagle 4 25 25
American Kestrel 0 8 8
Merlin 1 4 4
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
Prairie Falcon 1 6 6
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 4 4
Unknown Falcon 1 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 1 4 4
Total: 111 322 322
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Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 17:30:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley
Observers: Chris Gearhart, Dale Campau , Mark Meiklejohn,
Sammy Korengut , Sonja Meiklejohn
Visitors:
We had a great number of volunteers today at the ridge which made spotting
all of the migrants much easier, so big thanks to them. We saw a total of
44 visitors with 23 of them asking about the HawkWatch.
Weather:
Blue skies most of the day with a haze to the south that became more
prominent throughout the day. Light and variable winds coming from all
directions throughout the day. Heavy humidity for the area.
Raptor Observations:
Today was an unbelievable early season day, with the largest number of
migrants in a March day since 2006. The first TUVU of the season passed
overhead late in the day, as well as the first NOHA since the first day of
the count. The Ferruginous Hawks once again showed up in great numbers,
giving us the largest movement of FEHA in a day (on record) since 1997. 21
FEHA total were seen, three of them being dark morphs. We also had two dark
morph RTHA today which is always a treat.
Non-raptor Observations:
WEBL, MOBL, and SPTO continue to be the newest additions of passerines to
the ridge. Over 50 American Crows were seen today with one group of about
30 seen at various points throughout the day. Highlights of the day include
the first Sandhill Cranes (7) of the season, and a Killdeer that came
directly overhead and called for us.
Predictions:
Warm and sunny tomorrow with mostly W winds. Winds may pick up to moderate
speeds in the afternoon.
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Report submitted by DAVID HILL ()
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at:
http://www.dfobirds.org
More site information at hawkcount.org:
https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=123
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 of any skill level are always welcome. HawkWatch at
Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers 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 southwest end of lot to the 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. (Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
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