Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: May 06, 2013 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 1 | 12 | 168 |
| Osprey | 0 | 2 | 24 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 1 | 30 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 4 | 15 | 112 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 13 | 123 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 1 | 7 | 40 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 12 | 243 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| American Kestrel | 6 | 14 | 165 |
| Merlin | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 2 | 16 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 4 | 49 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 34 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 1 | 17 |
| Total: | 18 | 92 | 1094 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7 hours |
| Official Counter | Bill Flowers |
| Observers: | Claude Vallieres |
Visitors:
We has some visitors who asked questions, but most were not birders. These included a man and dog who stayed around for several minutes. Three women who asked if we were last year because one of them had visited lasted year - we responded yes. A young family with a little girl who asked a couple questions. And finally three young people (2 women and 1 man) - the man was from Germany and they asked several questions - we showed them through the spotting scope one of the resident Red-tailed Hawks perched on a power pole East of the Ridge.
Weather:
The weather was cool until mid-afternoon at which time if started getting warm (10-16 C). There was a constant light wind primarily from the North and East (1-3 B) with cloud cover ranging from 10 to 90 percent depending on the time of the day. Overall, it was a very nice May day.
Raptor Observations:
We saw several migrating raptor species: 1 Turkey Vulture, 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Broad-winged Hawk, 1 Swainson's Hawk, 3 Red-tailed Hawks, 6 American Kestrels, 1 Peregrine Falcon, and 1 Unidentified raptor. Most of the raptors flew on the Eastern side of Dinosaur Ridge at eye level or within 30 meters. The Unidentified raptor flew over West Ridge and did not present enough characteristics to make an identification. Most of the migrants were early morning with observations diminishing in the afternoon. Resident raptors seen were Sharp-shinned Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Prairie Falcon, Cooper's Hawk, and American Kestrels.
Non-raptor Observations:
We saw or heard several other bird species: Western Meadowlark, Western Scrub-Jay, Spotted Towhee, Black-billed Magpie, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, White-throated Swift, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Robin, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Mourning Dove, Barn Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, American Crow, House Finch, Common Grackle, and Double-crested Cormorant.
Predictions:
The raptors are still migrating, but it is slowing down. The weather may cooperate to allow one more good day of observing - the last of day of 2013 HawkWatch season in Colorado.
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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