Friday, 6 March 2026

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (06 Mar 2026) Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Golden, Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 06, 2026
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture000
Osprey000
Bald Eagle022
Northern Harrier000
Sharp-shinned Hawk000
Cooper's Hawk022
American Goshawk000
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk088
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk022
Golden Eagle011
American Kestrel000
Merlin000
Peregrine Falcon000
Prairie Falcon000
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipitrine000
Unknown Buteo000
Unknown Falcon011
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor000
Total:01616


Observation start time: 09:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 1.5 hours
Official Counter
Observers:



Visitors:
3 visitors. Despite the weather, a few hikers stopped by the ridge to enjoy the winter scenery. I was surprised to see a proposal occur at the ridge this morning! They were both very happy and took many photos in the snow. Congratulations!

Weather:
It was a snowy day on the ridge with a few inches of snow already accumulated by the time the count began. Moderate-to-heavy snowfall throughout the morning limited visibility to a kilometer or less - both Mt. Morrison and Green Mountain were nowhere to be seen. Temperatures remained steady at slightly above freezing, and wind started calm but started to pick up from the northeast in the late morning. The count was cancelled at 11:00 AM due to worsening visibility and snowfall expected throughout the day.

Raptor Observations:
It was a quiet snowy day at the ridge with no raptor activity detected. The only bird observed, a single local Townsend's Solitaire, was spotted on the east slope among the junipers.

Non-raptor Observations:
Townsend's Solitaire 1

Predictions:
Tomorrow we expect a return to sunny weather, with cold temperatures warming a bit as the day goes on. Winds are predicted to be light and variable. Bring layers and sunscreen, and prepare for snowy and wet trail conditions.


Report submitted by Official Counter of the day shown above (dinoridgehw@gmail.com)
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: www.dinosaurridgehawkwatch.org
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]




Site Description
Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawk watch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Hawk watchers may
see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent site to see rare
dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Ferruginous
hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Other raptors we see include Golden
and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons,
Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey
Vultures. American Goshawk is uncommon but also counted each season. Non-raptor
species include Rock Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane,
White-throated Swift, and American White Pelican. Birders of any skill level are
always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by Hawk Counter(s)
and volunteers from March through early 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 hawk watch signs from the
southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch 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, and walk to
the flat area at the crest of the ridge. (Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain:
259 feet)

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Re: [cobirds] Another odd gull

Thank you for confirmation as American Herring gull. I learn something new about birds all the time. And here's another gull from Lake McIntosh for your consideration... it looks like a Ring-billed gull, but has bright yellow legs and a grey face mask!




On Fri, Mar 6, 2026 at 6:55 AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com> wrote:
Many winter Am. Herring Gulls also have blackish on the bill near the red spot. It varies among individuals.  This is a Herring.

David Suddjian
Littleton, CO

On Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 11:22 PM David Hyde <davidhyde1951@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi CObirders -- At Lake McIntosh in Longmont in February I saw this gull. I note that it has the bill pattern of a California gull but the pink legs, pale eye and large size of a Herring gull. It looks more like a Herring gull except for the bill pattern which is distinctly that of a California gull. Do you all think this is just a Herring gull or a cross between the two (I got lost online trying to sort this out...). Any guidance appreciated. I have more photos but am allowed to send only one. Cheers!


 

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Re: [cobirds] Another odd gull

Many winter Am. Herring Gulls also have blackish on the bill near the red spot. It varies among individuals.  This is a Herring.

David Suddjian
Littleton, CO

On Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 11:22 PM David Hyde <davidhyde1951@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi CObirders -- At Lake McIntosh in Longmont in February I saw this gull. I note that it has the bill pattern of a California gull but the pink legs, pale eye and large size of a Herring gull. It looks more like a Herring gull except for the bill pattern which is distinctly that of a California gull. Do you all think this is just a Herring gull or a cross between the two (I got lost online trying to sort this out...). Any guidance appreciated. I have more photos but am allowed to send only one. Cheers!


 

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Thursday, 5 March 2026

[cobirds] Another odd gull

Hi CObirders -- At Lake McIntosh in Longmont in February I saw this gull. I note that it has the bill pattern of a California gull but the pink legs, pale eye and large size of a Herring gull. It looks more like a Herring gull except for the bill pattern which is distinctly that of a California gull. Do you all think this is just a Herring gull or a cross between the two (I got lost online trying to sort this out...). Any guidance appreciated. I have more photos but am allowed to send only one. Cheers!


 

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Re: [cobirds] A bit of Monte Vista Sandhill Crane detail for those going to look

Was  there Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.  Plenty of action from the Highway 8 South parking lot around sunset and after sunrise if you're not a super early riser!  The pond on the south of the loop is goose city with a few other ducks mixed in.
However, sorry to report that the north part of the loop is almost totally dry and burned—disappointing.

Charlie Paterson
Colorado Sprongs



On Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 8:44 PM Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul@gmail.com> wrote:
I just left this afternoon after spending three days there. When I got there a refuge employee told me they just cut the field that is on Rd 3E just off Road 7S on Tuesday morning so when I checked it out Tuesday evening there were thousands there (best time about 4:00 to 6:00 but that is standard time so adjust next week). They returned to the same spot Wednesday evening, too, although not as many because maybe half went to the spot David mentioned. Mornings were relatively sparse in the waters at the Wildlife Drive both Wednesday and Thursday mornings but large numbers got to the viewing area on 8S shortly after first light.

By the way, I stopped at Smith Reservoir outside Alamosa on the way and there were a flock of 25 Snow Geese in the water. I also found two Great Horned Owl nests in the Valley but obviously will refrain from any more details. 

My annual trip here never gets old.

Paul Malinowski
Littelton, CO

On Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 8:23 PM David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com> wrote:
I was at Monte Vista NWR this morning, and wish to report these details that might help you if you go soon to see the cranes. As John Rawinski posted before, it is worth being there "at first light" to see the spectacle of many, many flocks flying and 1000s landing near one of the viewing areas. Today the first flight activity was 15 min. before sunrise. The birds began to gather right away beside the Road 8S viewing area, and hardly any birds were near the viewing areas along Hwy 15. Sunlight first hit the cranes in the field 4 min. after sunrise. About 26 minutes after sunrise someone's car alarm horn went off and most of the birds in the giant flock at the 8S viewing area departed in response. So I was glad I was there earlier to have over half an hour of watching before they were disturbed. I roughly estimated about 9000 cranes, but it is hard to say how many were there and flying elsewhere. 

David Suddjian
Littleton, CO

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Re: [cobirds] A bit of Monte Vista Sandhill Crane detail for those going to look

I just left this afternoon after spending three days there. When I got there a refuge employee told me they just cut the field that is on Rd 3E just off Road 7S on Tuesday morning so when I checked it out Tuesday evening there were thousands there (best time about 4:00 to 6:00 but that is standard time so adjust next week). They returned to the same spot Wednesday evening, too, although not as many because maybe half went to the spot David mentioned. Mornings were relatively sparse in the waters at the Wildlife Drive both Wednesday and Thursday mornings but large numbers got to the viewing area on 8S shortly after first light.

By the way, I stopped at Smith Reservoir outside Alamosa on the way and there were a flock of 25 Snow Geese in the water. I also found two Great Horned Owl nests in the Valley but obviously will refrain from any more details. 

My annual trip here never gets old.

Paul Malinowski
Littelton, CO

On Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 8:23 PM David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com> wrote:
I was at Monte Vista NWR this morning, and wish to report these details that might help you if you go soon to see the cranes. As John Rawinski posted before, it is worth being there "at first light" to see the spectacle of many, many flocks flying and 1000s landing near one of the viewing areas. Today the first flight activity was 15 min. before sunrise. The birds began to gather right away beside the Road 8S viewing area, and hardly any birds were near the viewing areas along Hwy 15. Sunlight first hit the cranes in the field 4 min. after sunrise. About 26 minutes after sunrise someone's car alarm horn went off and most of the birds in the giant flock at the 8S viewing area departed in response. So I was glad I was there earlier to have over half an hour of watching before they were disturbed. I roughly estimated about 9000 cranes, but it is hard to say how many were there and flying elsewhere. 

David Suddjian
Littleton, CO

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[cobirds] A bit of Monte Vista Sandhill Crane detail for those going to look

I was at Monte Vista NWR this morning, and wish to report these details that might help you if you go soon to see the cranes. As John Rawinski posted before, it is worth being there "at first light" to see the spectacle of many, many flocks flying and 1000s landing near one of the viewing areas. Today the first flight activity was 15 min. before sunrise. The birds began to gather right away beside the Road 8S viewing area, and hardly any birds were near the viewing areas along Hwy 15. Sunlight first hit the cranes in the field 4 min. after sunrise. About 26 minutes after sunrise someone's car alarm horn went off and most of the birds in the giant flock at the 8S viewing area departed in response. So I was glad I was there earlier to have over half an hour of watching before they were disturbed. I roughly estimated about 9000 cranes, but it is hard to say how many were there and flying elsewhere. 

David Suddjian
Littleton, CO

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