Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2013 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 4 | 80 | 89 |
| Osprey | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 2 | 29 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 12 | 20 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3 | 40 | 51 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4 | 51 | 185 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| American Kestrel | 2 | 49 | 71 |
| Merlin | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 19 | 28 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Total: | 18 | 287 | 548 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7 hours |
| Official Counter | Lee Farrell |
| Observers: | Jennifer Clay, Karen Balog, Linda Farrell, Rob Reilly, Tiffani Stout |
Visitors:
The trail was operating at capacity with hikers, bikers, joggers and dogs. Several families and groups with children stopped by and inquired as what we were up to, and a few people who had heard about the hawkwatch stopped by to see it for themselves. Having heard about Dino Ridge, John and Vicki Greenwood visited and helped count birds for a couple of hours. John is a former falconer.
Weather:
A mostly cloudy day with brief periods of sunshine on the hill. Winds throughout most of the morning were light and out of the southeast. Shortly after noon (bird time) the winds abruptly switched to a strong breeze from the northwest for an hour or two. At the end of the afternoon the winds had dropped off to about bft 1.
Raptor Observations:
An interesting day with 9 species comprising the 18 migrating birds counted. The day started off with a Merlin passing close to the station in straight line north. Local raptors, primarily RTHA and TUVU, were observed frequently throughout the middle of the day. A local Kestrel flew up on two occasions at the south end of the ridge, once to harass a COHA and later a local RTHA. The local RTHAs were performing courtship displays. We watched two first year GOEA, perhaps siblings, soaring together and playing in the area of Cabrini for the better part of an hour. They landed and were on the ground for a period of time on the hillside below Cabrini. They were not counted.
Non-raptor Observations:
The usual suspects were present again today on the ridge. We were serenaded throughout the early morning by at least 8 Western Scrub-jay. Other birds seen or heard included: American Robin, American Crow, Common Raven, Western Meadowlark, Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee. Black-billed Magpie, White-throated Swift. The trail is in good shape with minimal muddy spots.
Predictions:
A prediction of high winds in front of an advancing storm system sounds like a good recipe for many birds passing close to the ridge.
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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