Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 30, 2023
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 23 343 358
Osprey 6 50 52
Bald Eagle 1 20 51
Northern Harrier 3 19 30
Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 69 77
Cooper's Hawk 10 206 224
Northern Goshawk 0 2 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 31 125 125
Red-tailed Hawk 10 154 441
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson's Hawk 13 35 35
Ferruginous Hawk 6 14 54
Golden Eagle 2 11 37
American Kestrel 23 298 358
Merlin 1 12 22
Peregrine Falcon 1 13 18
Prairie Falcon 0 0 5
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 8 11
Unknown Buteo 2 4 5
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 2
Total: 139 1384 1915
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:15:00
Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Carol Cwiklinski, Emma Riley
Observers: Aarohi Barman, Andrew Jensen, Carol Cwiklinski,
Ginni Dickinson, Karen Fernandez, Mike Fernandez,
Steve Small
Visitors:
It was a very busy day on the ridge so thank you again to all who came out
and helped spot birds against the bright blue skies. They were challenging
but I think we would all agree it was well worth it! We had at least 43
visitors today including Dave Prentiss, a former Dinosaur Ridge volunteer,
who stopped by with his son in search of BW and they were rewarded. Two
other visitors recently moved to the area and spent the morning with us, so
thank you Blythe and Colin! It was great to meet you both and have your
help.
Weather:
It was another eye burner today with little to no cloud cover all day.
Winds were from the E/NE for most of the day until we also felt winds from
the SW in the late afternoon. The usually present haze was extra thick
today, really worsening late in the day.
Raptor Observations:
What a day! Migrants were again high and primarily west of us today. We had
a very surprisingly good FH flight today including one dark-morph. These
birds are typically done migrating by this time at our site, especially in
that volume. We also had another great BW flight today, officially marking
our biggest BW season in site history (1990’s data should be available
soon so that may reveal otherwise). Our AK flight today also marks the
highest season AK count since 2005. This is extra special as this species
has been of concern and many resources have been put into supporting their
population. The species diversity today also deserves mention, with our
season high of 14 species seen migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor highlights of the day include the seasons first BGGN, a flock of
Gull sp. (30+), and more AMWP. TOSO have been seen less frequently in the
fire so it was great to see one perched in a burnt pine today as well.
Multiple lists are available on eBird thanks to volunteers and visitors.
Predictions:
Similar conditions are expected for tomorrow with slightly higher
temperatures. Birds may be high!
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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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