Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: May 13, 2023
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 4 83 435
Osprey 2 12 62
Bald Eagle 1 5 55
Northern Harrier 0 2 31
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 28 102
Cooper's Hawk 6 58 279
Northern Goshawk 0 0 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 45 156
Red-tailed Hawk 3 56 495
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson's Hawk 2 40 72
Ferruginous Hawk 0 12 64
Golden Eagle 0 4 40
American Kestrel 1 26 378
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 5
Unknown Falcon 0 0 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 1 3
Total: 23 386 2255
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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, Carol Cwiklinski,
Karen Fernandez, Mike Fernandez, Steve Small
Visitors:
As our season comes to an end we continue to have to say goodbye to our
observers. Carol, Steve, Mike, and Karen have been vital parts of keeping
this count running and it is bittersweet ending the season and already
looking forward to the next. As always, thank you to you all for everything
that you do! One DFO member Eric (I did not catch your last name!) came up
for his first time today and spent a few hours watching with us. We saw 22
visitors at the ridge today including Jesse and Asher, Asher being an
incredibly talented and ambitious young birder on a mission to see 50 bird
species in all 50 states! Aarohi’s family was also able to visit the
ridge today and it was great to see them.
Weather:
The sun was out first thing in the morning but was quickly shadowed by
cloud cover. Clouds got darker as the day went on but we did not feel any
drizzle until the 1600 hour. Winds were from the NE and picked up slightly
in the afternoon. Temperatures dropped in the afternoon leaving us with a
chilly end to the day.
Raptor Observations:
We had a great late season migration today with birds moving all over the
place. Highlights today include multiple very close accipiters that zipped
by us, 2 OS, and continuing SW. Late adult RT and eagles continue to move
as well! The local TV and RT were seen periodically throughout the day, as
well as one SS that did not go north.
Non-raptor Observations:
A female BUOR was seen by Steve today, as he continues to be the lucky (and
skilled) spotter of these birds at the ridge. 3 unknown ducks flew by our
site today as well as one DCCO. Most of the regulars were seen today
including BGGN, BTHU, WTSW, SPTO, BUSH, and more.
Predictions:
Tomorrow is our final day of the season and it’s only natural that rain
is predicted! We are crossing our fingers for a long countable day, and a
MK or two.
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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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