Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 15, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
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 3 3 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 9 41 41 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 4 4 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 1 1 Total: 10 72 72 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 14:45:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Chuck Hundertmark Observers: Joel Chapa, Pete Plage Visitors: 1 mountain biker asking directions. Provided him brief explanation of hawk count. Weather: Overcast much of the morning, gradually clearing into the afternoon. Wind from the west initially, shifting to SSW then SE. Wind gusting to Beauford scale 3, but calm much of the day. Hazy in the distance in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: Little movement, particularly early. First local Red-tails didn't appear until after 1000 MST. Two local Red-tails did a nice leg-dangling display a bit before 1045. Most movement was along the western ridge and Cabrini. 10 observations of local Red-tails, probably representing 2-3 pairs. Non-raptor Observations: Townsend's Solitaires (at least 6) were particularly active with some brief song snatches and moderate territoriality. American Robins 31 including flock of 21 flying north, and some locals singing briefly. At least 6 Dark-eyed Juncos including 2 White-winged, and some brief song snatches. Canada Goose, 1; American Crow, 18; Western Meadowlark, 2;Black-billed Magpie, 6; Killdeer, 1; Northern Flicker, 2 including 1 Red-shafted; Western Scrub-jay, 4; Mountain Bluebird, 11; Common Raven, 11; Rock Pigeon, 2; Mountain Chickadee, 1. Mule Deer, 9. Predictions: Nothing suggests a change from the low flight rates. ======================================================================== 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. -- 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. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
