Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 12, 2023
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 1 9 9
Northern Harrier 1 1 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 2 2
Cooper's Hawk 0 1 1
Northern Goshawk 1 3 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 11 50 50
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
Ferruginous Hawk 2 13 14
Golden Eagle 4 12 12
American Kestrel 0 0 0
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 1 1 1
Prairie Falcon 0 3 3
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 1 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 2 2
Total: 23 100 101
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Carol Cwiklinski, Emma Riley
Observers: Carol Cwiklinski, Aarohi Barman, Emma Riley,
Shannon Campbell, Steve Small
Visitors:
We had a busy day today with both visitors and observers. Big thanks to
Carol Cwiklinski, Steve Small, Susan Blansett, Ginni Dickinson, Kathleen
Stewart, and Shannon Campbell for their help spotting and IDing raptors
with myself (Emma) and our second counter Aarohi (Ro). We were visited by
47 people recreating on the Dakota Ridge trail, with many visitors stopping
to read our count board and ask questions about the migration. We were even
joined by a very good dog named Butters, who was more interested in
snacking than hawkwatching, but we appreciated the support nonetheless.
Visitor interest seems to be increased from last year, with more people
stopping to talk about the migration and showing interest in coming back
with their families and friends.
Weather:
Today was a bit cooler than yesterday with temperatures barely breaking 8
degrees Celsius all day. Cloud cover was variable for most of the day, with
light snow showers scattered across the horizon starting at 1400, bringing
heavier cloud cover. We had some very light snow on and off in the
afternoon. Winds were predominantly from the NE today with some variable
winds when the snow rolled in.
Raptor Observations:
We said this yesterday but it again holds true, today was our biggest
flight of the season. We observed 8 species of raptors (!) throughout the
day, with highlights including a dark-morph FH, an adult NG, a very close
adult SS, and both our first migrating PG and NH of the season. We counted
a total of 23 migrants. We observed two main flight lines today were high
and very distant over the western ridge, and low but distant below the
western ridge. We were treated with our very close SS, and some local
raptors. We spotted local RT(3), GE (2), BE (1), and our local PR was
perched atop the power poles again early this morning.
Non-raptor Observations:
The morning started out with a group of SACR seen, our first of the season.
We also observed more migrating MOBL (27), as well as some of our regulars-
BCCH (2), TOSO (3), AMRO (1), DEJU (2), CORA (8), AMCR (2), and our first
CAJA of the season. The elk are still viewable north of Mother Cabrini, and
a lone elk could be seen laid down in the willows along the creek just
below the ridge on the east side.
Predictions:
Tomorrow should be a little sunnier with less cloud cover, potentially
bringing some strong thermals. Winds are predicted to be mild from the
east. Looks like it could be another strong flight!
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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
Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - Project info at:
https://dunkadoo.org/explore/denver-field-ornithologists/dinosaur-ridge-spring-2023
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 hawk watch signs
from the southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch 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, and walk to the flat area at the crest of the ridge.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
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