Sunday, 16 April 2017

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (16 Apr 2017) 18 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 16, 2017
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture43333
Osprey022
Bald Eagle0413
Northern Harrier000
Sharp-shinned Hawk11828
Cooper's Hawk13338
Northern Goshawk000
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk233
Red-tailed Hawk254234
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk255
Ferruginous Hawk027
Golden Eagle003
American Kestrel22537
Merlin000
Peregrine Falcon046
Prairie Falcon145
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter248
Unknown Buteo1924
Unknown Falcon058
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor029
Total:18207463


Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 14:15:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official CounterMike Fernandez
Observers: Carol Cwiklinski, Steve Small



Visitors:
Steve Small and Carol Cwiklinksi, widely experienced hawkwatchers, joined early and for the duration. They hawkwatch all over the country and Carol has been employed by Hawkwatch International in the education area and also helped with pilot testing new sites. They have just relocated to Denver and hope to be regulars once they settle in. Busy day on the trail, but few curiosity seekers.

Weather:
Almost all the action today, locals and migrators, was on the west side. Mild winds were from the east most of the day and temperatures rose quickly in cloudless skies making height of flight a challenge.

Raptor Observations:
Other than local Kestrels hunting the east side and local Turkey Vulters managing low on the west side, it was all high flyers to the west. So today we came up with a new bird code: "US" (Unidentified Specks, or "BS," Black Specks). On arrival, a column of several local US's appeared far down Ridge. Then two brightly colored local Cooper's Hawks appeared overhead only to melt into the sun; given the day, I'm not sure if they were real or a Greek myth. Repeated columns of non-migrating mixed birds (Common Ravens, Turkey Vultures, Red-Taileds, Accipiters) over Westridge appeared several times during the watch. The local Golden Eagle did rise to overhead from the southwest. It was good to see Broad-wingeds and Swainson's continue moving through.

Non-raptor Observations:
Non Raptors seen or heard today: American White Pelican (6), White-throated Swift (7), Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay (3), Black-billed Magpie (5), American Crow (4), Common Raven (7), Violet-green Swallow (6), Black-capped Chickadee (2), Mountain Chickadee (2), Canyon Wren (1), Western Bluebird (3), American Robin (1), Spotted Towhee (3), Western Meadowlark (2), House Finch (2). A small group of white-tailed deer kept an eye on us from the bottom of the east side mid day.

Predictions:
Hopefully more Swainson's and Broad-wingeds; and lower heights of flight. If you have a scope, bring it. That plus sunscreen.


Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff.birek@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 Bird Conservancy of the
Rockies 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 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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