Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 10, 2022
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture              10            109            135
Osprey                       3              7              9
Bald Eagle                   5              9             42
Northern Harrier             0              6             12
Sharp-shinned Hawk           2             30             39
Cooper's Hawk                2             46             57
Northern Goshawk             1              1              3
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              0              0
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0              0
Red-tailed Hawk              2            177            592
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              3
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              0
Ferruginous Hawk             0              8             62
Golden Eagle                 1              3             31
American Kestrel             1             78            110
Merlin                       1              5              9
Peregrine Falcon             0              2              9
Prairie Falcon               0              0              7
Mississippi Kite             0              0              0
Unknown Accipiter            1              1              1
Unknown Buteo                0              4             10
Unknown Falcon               0              2              4
Unknown Eagle                0              3              3
Unknown Raptor               0              0              5

Total:                      29            491           1143
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Observation start time: 09:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 6 hours

Official Counter:        Emma Riley

Observers:        Jeff Birek

Visitors:
There were 8 visitors to the hill today. Rob Hamilton joined us for a
couple hours enjoying his first time hawkwatching!


Weather:
Started out fairly calm with winds out of the east-southeast. Within the
first hour gusts began increasing and coming from the west-northwest. Gusts
around 40 k/h (25 mph) were common later in the day eventually causing us
to leave the count early as dust was flying on the ridge and conditions
were very difficult for viewing.

Raptor Observations:
Had some decent movement of Turkey Vultures today. Several eagles, Ospreys,
and all three species of accipiters (with one Northern Goshawk being a
highlight). Still waiting for the first Swainson's Hawks and Broad-winged
Hawks of the season but they should be coming any day!

Non-raptor Observations:
White-throated Swifts were flying over the ridge throughout the day amazing
us with their aerobatic flight among the high winds. At one point we
counted a group of at least 56 birds. Four Roosevelt Elk were seen on Green
Mountain giving  mountain bikers some great views over there.

Predictions:
If the occluded front that is over north Texas and New Mexico shifts north
we could see some birds with it. But I'm skeptical that front will break in
time for many birds to come through tomorrow. But I've been wrong before
and always hope there will be lots of birds!
========================================================================
Report submitted by David Hill ([email protected])
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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