Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: May 07, 2023
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 8 62 420
Osprey 1 8 60
Bald Eagle 0 4 55
Northern Harrier 0 1 31
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 16 93
Cooper's Hawk 6 43 267
Northern Goshawk 0 0 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 1 43 168
Red-tailed Hawk 10 39 480
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson's Hawk 3 22 57
Ferruginous Hawk 1 11 65
Golden Eagle 0 2 39
American Kestrel 2 18 376
Merlin 0 4 26
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 20
Prairie Falcon 0 0 5
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 1 4 15
Unknown Buteo 0 2 7
Unknown Falcon 0 0 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 1 3
Total: 34 282 2197
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley
Observers: Carol Cwiklinski, Aarohi Barman, Carol Cwiklinski,
Kathy Barnum, Matthew Klimock, Steve Small, Susan Blansett
Visitors:
Thank you to everyone who came out today for the count! It was Janet Peters
last day at the ridge and she was kind enough to bring empanadas for the
crew. Janet is the mastermind behind much of inner workings of our site and
we would not be able to operate the way we do without her. We saw 38
visitors at the ridge today.
Weather:
We had a pleasant day with both sun and great cloud cover for spotting
birds. Darker clouds with precipitation rolled in late afternoon and
brought light drizzle to the rain. Winds were from the NE.
Raptor Observations:
We had a nice flight in the morning with our second immature BW of the
season, a low Osprey and continuing RT. Immature RT continue to move in
good numbers as well. Migration slowed in the afternoon until a kettle of 5
TV moved through as well as more RT. The non-migrant highlight of the day
is truly a special one, in the afternoon we witnessed the local RT pair
engage in the “death spiral” typically exhibited by courting BE. Local
TV activity was high today with up to 7 at a time seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor highlights include 8 male AMRO, DCCO, and WTSW that could have
run into us had we moved when they flew by. Other regulars uncurling BGGN
and BTHU were also seen.
Predictions:
It will be a warm spring day on the ridge with predominantly E winds.
Tomorrow marks our first day counting past our typical season.
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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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