Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: May 01, 2014 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 3 | 3 | 106 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 71 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 3 | 248 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 78 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Unknown Buteo | 2 | 2 | 26 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Total: | 9 | 9 | 693 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
None.
Weather:
The unrelenting winds of the last few days seem to have settled down, with a light wind mostly from the SE averaging 2 bft. Warm, with temperatures rising from the low 40's to the mid 50's. Only a few clouds.
Raptor Observations:
A Peregrine Falcon passed the site at a moderate elevation and strong flight to the north. All other migrating raptors followed what seems to be a typical warm and clear day pattern, either spiraling high at the far end of the ridge to move north, or following the west ridge line. A few local Turkey Vultures patrolled close to the ridge, possibly sniffing at sweating hikers. Plus several local Red-tails. Migration activity was all in the morning.
Non-raptor Observations:
A typical assortment of Scrub Jays, Black-billed Magpies, Common Raven, etc., plus a Bushtit, several swirls of White-throated Swift, and a few Violet-green Swallows.
Predictions:
It's always an educated guess, but a warm day clear day this time of year seems to mean high fliers and morning activity, and a slower afternoon with teasing local Red-tails and local Turkey Vultures?
Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.birek@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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