Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2013 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 10 | 90 | 99 |
| Osprey | 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 2 | 29 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 13 | 21 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 41 | 52 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 53 | 187 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| American Kestrel | 1 | 50 | 72 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 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 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Total: | 18 | 305 | 566 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Joyce Commercon |
| Observers: | Francis Commercon, Heather Jackson |
Visitors:
Karen Mitchell and Joe White were on site early with us to help spot and also hopefully photograph raptors. Several other hikers and bikers braved the chilly winds for the view. We often explained our purpose at HawkWatch to those who were interested and received some interesting questions, including what are our common migrants. One man asked how this year's count compared to last year's count, citing the variation in the Spring weather patterns.
Weather:
The day was sunny and cool with temperatures rising from 3 C to 8 C. The sky was blue and clear with few clouds and those were located mostly on the horizon. The wind came steadily from the West and was nearly constantly at 4 B, with gusts to 5 B and occasional drops to 3B after noon. Visibility was good.
Raptor Observations:
Nearly all of the observed migrants this day came along the Dinosaur Ridge ridge-line, with about three-quarters passing over top or just to the West. Although migrants included Red-tailed Hawks, an American Kestrel and a couple of accipiters, it seemed to be a day for migrating Ospreys and Turkey Vultures. Interesting local raptor activity included observing a Northern Harrier hovering (hunting?) for several minutes over the north end of Green Mountain before it flew NorthWest toward Golden. It or a similar bird has been sighted there in previous weeks. Local Red-tailed Hawks were seen to engage in roller-coaster flight a few times throughout the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
A flock of American Robins, heading North, passed on the East side of the ridge. Also seen or heard: Violet-green Swallow, Northern Flicker, Black-billed Magpie, White-throated Swift, Common Raven, American Crow, Western Meadowlark, House Finch, Spotted Towhee and Black-capped Chickadee. Twelve mule deer were also spotted at the base of Dinosaur Ridge on the East side.
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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