Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 23, 2019 | |||
| 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 | 10 | 10 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 66 | 66 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total: | 3 | 89 | 89 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 12:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 3 hours |
| Official Counter | Mitchell Blystone |
| Observers: | Emil Yappert |
Visitors:
The trail is in great shape with only a couple muddy spots hanging around. A couple hikers came up for the view and plenty of mountain bikers passed on the trail. We were joined by David Barley who is a Golden local and a bird enthusiast and was a great help with spotting some of the Red tails along the western ridge line.
Weather:
The morning started with a low cloud ceiling and patchy fog. The top of Mt. Morrison and the hilltops to the south were not visible until roughly 10:30am. The wind started out of the SSE but at times died down to very calm conditions. Closer to noon the winds returned but out of the north.
Raptor Observations:
Very calm start with only a couple sightings of local RTHs. Activity was low along the east and west slopes of Dino Ridge with nothing stirring above. Once the winds returned we observed the migrators along the western hillsides and at times were painfully distant specks. The local RTHs were stooping and we got to watch some courtship dances. One local Peregrine came out of the trees to the south of the platform and gave us a nice view then quickly headed back south.
Non-raptor Observations:
Common Ravens, American Crows, Magpies, Scrub Jays, and Blue Jays dominated the sightings. We did hear Chickadees and Townsend's Solitaires but were not spotted. A trio of Canada Geese flew north over Mathew Winters as well. There is what looks like a moto-cross tournament happening at the race track and it is noisy! After a while it just sounds like you are being surrounded by a lot of angry bees.
Predictions:
Hopefully a little more airflow to help with some lift. The action stayed to the west and a scope would be a wonderful tool if tomorrow is a repeat of today. Enjoy!
Report submitted by Matthew Smith (matt.smith@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.org/
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
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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