Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: May 04, 2013 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 5 | 11 | 167 |
| Osprey | 0 | 2 | 24 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 11 | 108 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 6 | 9 | 119 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 2 | 2 | 35 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4 | 8 | 239 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| American Kestrel | 6 | 7 | 158 |
| Merlin | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 46 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 34 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Total: | 29 | 60 | 1062 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Lee Farrell, Roger Rouch |
| Observers: | Linda Farrell, Roger Rouch |
Visitors:
With the trail drying up, a typical Saturday with numerous hikers and bikers on the trail, comparatively few visited the station. Late in the day a couple from Greely already interested in raptors got to witness a few migrators passing by. An avid birder, Janet Jamison had heard about the HawkWatch through RMBO. She helped to spot birds for a couple of hours. Janet is interested in finding out more about the HawkWatch and perhaps helping out next season.
Weather:
A comparatively cool day with temperatures maxing out at about 10C and a moderate but consistent breeze out of the NE. The day started out with a very high, very thin cloud cover. Mid-level clouds continued to increase over the day ending with about 85% coverage at days end.
Raptor Observations:
As we near the end of the season a pretty good day with 29 migrating birds. Most activity occurred during mid-morning and in the last 2 hours of the day. Many of the birds were close in or easily viewable with binoculars passing in a determined fashion to the north. Local birds were occasionally seen along the west ridge, unusual, very little migratory activity was noted there. Local raptors included RTHA, COHA, SSHA, AMKE and TUVU.
Non-raptor Observations:
A number of small flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers in apparent migration passed over the station. Four Ruby-crowned Kinglets provided some nice views. Common Ravens playing in the wind provided a source of entertainment throughout much of the day. Good numbers of White-throated Swifts also enjoyed the wind, making high speed passes over, around and through the station. Species seen or heard included: Black-billed Magpie, Western Meadowlark, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Chickadee, Black-capped Chickadee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Townsend's Solitaire, White-throated Swift, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow and Blue-grey Gnatcatcher.
Predictions:
Nearing the end of the season, diminishing counts would seem logical. But with all the wet weather this spring, the birds may have other plans.
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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