Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: May 12, 2023 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 79 437 Osprey 0 10 62 Bald Eagle 0 4 55 Northern Harrier 0 2 32 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 24 101 Cooper's Hawk 1 52 276 Northern Goshawk 0 0 9 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 45 170 Red-tailed Hawk 1 52 493 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 1 37 72 Ferruginous Hawk 0 12 66 Golden Eagle 0 4 41 American Kestrel 1 25 383 Merlin 0 4 26 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 20 Prairie Falcon 0 0 5 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 6 17 Unknown Buteo 0 2 7 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 3 Total: 6 361 2276 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours Official Counter: Emma Riley Observers: Visitors: Three visitors stopped by the site today including a runner who chatted for a few minutes. The trail was very muddy all day, but the recently dug drainages by Jefferson County seem to have helped the trail. There was a large puddle right at the top of the trail up, just south of the count site, that may linger for a day or two. Weather: The storm that moved through our area over the last two days was just clearing out as I got to the watch. Cloud covered stayed heavy all day and there was rain for 5-75 minute periods throughout the day. Winds were from the NE all day and the sun showed itself for a maximum of 15 minutes. Raptor Observations: Migration was slower than we had hoped after this storm with a total of 6 migrants. The highlight was a low immature SW at the end of the day, my first immature SW of the season. Local raptor activity was low today with 3 RT seen once and the first of 4 local TV not seen until the 1300 hour. Non-raptor Observations: Passerine activity was low today with BGGN, SPTO, DOWO, BBMA, CORA, ROPI, BUSH, and WEKI all seen/heard once or twice. Predictions: We should finally have our first rain-free day in four days tomorrow. Cloud cover will be persistent and the trail will likely still be muddy on the way up. Tomorrow may be our last full day counting this season as there is more rain predicted for Sunday, but we are hopeful to get through the weekend. ======================================================================== 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 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) -- -- 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. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/0101018812f8bab6-8df7f85b-9af8-47de-a6e2-65496c73b976-000000%40us-west-2.amazonses.com.
