Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2013 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 3 | 22 | 22 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 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 | 0 | 74 | 74 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total: | 7 | 134 | 134 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 0.2 hours |
| Official Counter | Kathanne Lynch, Roger Rouch |
| Observers: | Claude Vallieres, George Mayfield |
Visitors:
Rob Reilly, Jeffco Open Space Trail Volunteer, stopped by and indicated he had not seen the bird activity this quiet in all his time traveling the area. He was the only visitor.
Weather:
Overcast for most of day with a sunny break at noon. Wind was from NNW and W for most of day except for a short period from the S at 10:30 which is when the eagles came through. Temp in 30s and low 40s. Rain and verga in distance with lightning in mid afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Not much activity except for one kestrel in early am. Mid morn brought a sub adult golden eagle who at I-70 was joined by a following adult bald eagle and an immature bald eagle. The eagles had a Southerly tail wind that fueled them along. About 2 minutes later another immature bald eagle followed. All headed due North. The three kestrels all struggled with the winds heading North. All were on East side of Dino ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other bird activity was minimal and mostly heard more than seen and included: scrub jay, mountain bluebirds, flicker, magpie, Townsend's solitaire, white-throated swift, raven, crow, rock dove and the local red-tail hawks and prairie falcon along with kestrels.
Predictions:
Rain to snow later in the afternoon with colder temperatures.
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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