Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2022 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 1 Bald Eagle 0 1 1 Northern Harrier 0 0 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 1 Cooper's Hawk 0 4 12 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 2 16 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 7 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 2 7 American Kestrel 1 2 10 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 1 Prairie Falcon 0 0 2 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 1 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 2 13 62 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:30:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours Official Counter: Ajit Antony Observers: Carol Cwiklinski, Dave Hill, Liza Antony, Steve Small Weather: Light Level 3 winds from the NNE changing to East in the last 1.5 hours and increasing to Level 5, temperature 11-16°C humidity 18-24%, barometric pressure 29.92 mmHg, cloud cover 5-80%, clear visibility 25 km. Raptor Observations: A Denver Field Ornithologists field trip to Dinosaur Ridge led by Dave Hill had 30 birders some of whom had never been to the/any hawk watch. There was only one migrant AK during the time they were at the watch and we could explain how a falcon looks different from a buteo. They were quite happy to see local RT – I could describe how we identify a RT in flight. At one point they could see 3 RT fairly close. While we were looking at an RT to the SSE a GE rose from the Bear Creek area at 10:05 AM MST which was attacked repeatedly by the RT to which it responded by turning and presenting its talons. The GE then flew to the NE followed by the RT. This was thrilling to everyone and they could see the size difference between the 2 species. The GE was an adult and had a few missing inner primaries bilaterally. Non-raptor Observations: Steller's Jay 3, Mountain Chickadee 1, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Common Raven 7, Townsend's Solitaire 5, Western Scrub-Jay 1, American Robin 2, House Finch 3. 5 hot air balloons to the NE. 7 hang gliders to the NW, 2 of whom flew past the watch – one to the far south of the watch fairly high and the other who was using the ridge lift on the sides of Mount Morrison to soar below and above the summit. ======================================================================== 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 hawk watch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Hawk watchers may see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent site to see rare dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Ferruginous hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Other raptors we see include Golden and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey Vultures. Northern Goshawk is uncommon but also counted each season. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White Pelican, and Dusky Grouse. Birders of any skill level are always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by a Hawk Counter and volunteers from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM from March 1st to May 14th, weather permitting. 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) -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. 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