Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 11, 2022 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 23 132 158 Osprey 1 8 10 Bald Eagle 2 11 44 Northern Harrier 1 7 13 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 30 39 Cooper's Hawk 2 48 59 Northern Goshawk 0 1 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 12 189 604 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 3 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 8 62 Golden Eagle 1 4 32 American Kestrel 18 96 128 Merlin 2 7 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 9 Prairie Falcon 0 0 7 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 1 2 2 Unknown Buteo 0 4 10 Unknown Falcon 0 2 4 Unknown Eagle 0 3 3 Unknown Raptor 0 0 5 Total: 63 554 1206 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours Official Counter: Mike Fernandez Observers: Karen Fernandez, Marvin Gearhart, Stephen Hasley Visitors: Ten visitors to the platform; five were curious. Gave out three Dino HW business cards. One was a science/math teacher from North Carolina on vacation. Helping us count: Weather: Wind shifts were all over the place today, but most from the east; northeast, southeast. There periods of no wind—and no migrating birds. Winds picked up, migrators the same. Mid watch, flightpaths shifted from high over the foothills to low on both sides and overtop of the ridge. Weather station: Dark Skies app. Raptor Observations: Locals: RTHA 4. Two seen copulating on the pole next to the race track. All four hung around all day. Local TUVUs: 7. Local BAEA? 1. MIGRATORS: One migrating BAEA was first year. Migrating TUVUs were mostly on the west side of the ridge just above eye level and came in droves; then mostly in pairs. AMKEs appeared suddenly mostly on the east side of the ridge, close by. MERLs followed the west side of the ridge. Non-raptor Observations: Rock pigeon: 1. Black-billed Magies: 3. Sandhill Crane: 1 going northbound. Spotted Towhee: 1. House finches: 4. Common Ravens: 6. White-throated Swifts: 9. Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay: 3. Predictions: It gets chilly in the wind on the platform. Since my last trip up the hill, Jefferson County has posted a CLOSED sign on the fence at the back of the platform, along with dozens of big branches and rocks to prevent using that alternate site and trail. They also seem to have left orange cones and a lawn chair under the juniper tree. What’s up with that? ======================================================================== 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 hawkwatch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders of any skill level are always welcome. HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers from about 9 AM to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th. 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 small signs from the southwest end of lot to the hawkwatch 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, head through the gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, 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 cobirds@googlegroups.com 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. 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