[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (28 Mar 2013) 44 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 28, 2013
Species	Day's Count	Month Total	Season Total
Black Vulture	0	0	0
Turkey Vulture	7	8	8
Osprey	0	0	0
Bald Eagle	3	26	26
Northern Harrier	0	0	0
Sharp-shinned Hawk	2	4	4
Cooper's Hawk	1	4	4
Northern Goshawk	0	0	0
Red-shouldered Hawk	0	0	0
Broad-winged Hawk	0	0	0
Red-tailed Hawk	23	106	106
Rough-legged Hawk	0	5	5
Swainson's Hawk	0	0	0
Ferruginous Hawk	0	8	8
Golden Eagle	0	3	3
American Kestrel	1	8	8
Merlin	0	0	0
Peregrine Falcon	0	0	0
Prairie Falcon	2	12	12
Mississippi Kite	0	0	0
Unknown Accipiter	1	4	4
Unknown Buteo	3	9	9
Unknown Falcon	0	0	0
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	1	2	2
Total:	44	199	199

Observation start time:	08:00:00
Observation end time:	14:30:00
Total observation time:	6.5 hours
Official Counter	Roger Rouch
Observers:	Claude Vallieres, Rob Reilly

Visitors:
Park Patrol Rob Reilly stopped for a few hours. The extra eyes were especially helpful. (He was added to the drop down menu on data entry as an observer for future use since he stops by frequently.)

Weather:
Mild with temperatures rising from 5C to 15C. A light wind generally from the NE at 1 to 2 Bft. Partly cloudy. A light haze over the horizons in the afternoon.

Raptor Observations:
A diversity of migrating raptors entertained and challenged observers. Migrating Red-Tailed Hawks very generally observed in slow upward spirals over the western ridges and then locked into a strong northern glide, but also included close up fly-bys. Turkey Vultures were low and directly over the site and included a small kettle of four. No real pattern for other migrating raptors. Resident Red-Tailed seemed less common than earlier season, but rose to escort migrating birds out of the area as well as general direction indeterminate swirling. A local Kestrel was observed twice.

Non-raptor Observations:
Seen or heard: Common Raven, American Crow, Black-billed Magpie, Northern Flicker, Bushtit, Western Meadow Lark, White-throated Swift, Mountain Chickadee, Townsend's Solitaire, American Robin, and five Canada Geese. Raven seemed especially active. Also, the Mt. Cabrini elk herd of about 35.

Predictions:
Thermals from the exposed foothills combined with snow on further on western hills may continue to channel raptors along the Dino Ridges. If the northern winds continue, it could be a good day. (Hey, it's a theory. Something Duane Nelson mentioned when he visited). The trail is still pretty muddy.

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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.