Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 13, 2012
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 6 6
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0
Cooper's Hawk 0 2 2
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 1 31 31
Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Ferruginous Hawk 0 2 2
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 1 2 2
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Prairie Falcon 0 5 5
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 2 2
Unknown Buteo 0 2 2
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 2 58 58
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Paul Slingsby
Observers: Art Hudak, Dara Glazer, Jim Banks, Jim Schmoker, Joel Chapa,
Kelli Groy
Visitors:
Vast numbers of mountain bikers passed, one actually road UP the steps to
the Hawkwatch site. Jeff Co Parks Volunteer Ranger, Rob Reilly, helped us
observe for 2.5 hours. Two women had their lunch in the shade of our
juniper tree. They visited about raptor migration for a few minutes.
Hikers were numerous.
Weather:
Sunny, calm until wind shifted to west at 14:00. Temperature ranged 10 deg
C to 19 deg C. Visibility unlimited.
Raptor Observations:
One RTHA and one AmKe were migrants among as many as 5 local redtails seen
at one time. Locals from nearby were often met by the local pair which was
often seen in roller-coaster displays. At 09:20 this amorous pair
copulated while on the nearest single power pole just down from Dinosaur
Ridge to the east. A local CoHa flew S. along the E. side of Dinosaur
Ridge. A dark morph RTHa flew E. to Green Mt. (same bird as 03/12/2012?)
Under-wing coverts and body all dark, no white streaks on breast. Tail
light colored, no terminal band, no hint of red. Base of primaries form a
light patch. Harlan's or dark morph immature?
Non-raptor Observations:
Townsend's Solitaires, 3; BBMagpies, 4; House Finch, 1; American Robin, 1;
Scrub Jay, 2; Mountain Chickadee, 4; Northern Flicker, 1; American Crow,
31; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Common Raven, 4; Bushtit, 13. Robins and
Scrub Jays seemed conspicuous in their low numbers. Townsend's Solitaires
are not singing yet.
Predictions:
Blissful weather, few migrants.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.bi...@rmbo.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at:
http://www.rmbo.org/
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 are always welcome.
The hawkwatch is generally staffed by volunteers from the Rocky Mountain
Bird Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of
March to the first week of May.
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 south side of lot to 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.
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