Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 04, 2014 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Claude Vallieres |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
The afternoon is when the trail traffic picked up with numerous hikers and bicyclists alike. 9 visitors came through the sight all but one focused on their activity. Only 1 asked what I was doing and what types of birds I was seeing.
Weather:
Good weather prevailed throughout the day. Despite the prevalence of cloud cover,(high thin clouds 60-100%), the sun shown through until 1:30 as the advancing front moved in. Winds were light from S/SE/E ranging from 0-2 on the Beaufort scale. Visibility was excellent at 50k. Flat lighting from 1:30 p.m. did hinder identification at times. Temperatures ranged from 45-55 F.
Raptor Observations:
Despite good weather, no migrating raptors were seen today. However, the local bird and raptor activity seemed to be picking up. Local raptor observations included 8 Red-tailed sightings,2 with territorial issues, one being sent away, others were hunting or soaring the winds. 1 unidentified large falcon climbed the thermals over the far 2 Pines ridge disappearing into the clouds. 1 Prairie Falcon and 1 American Kestrel both demonstrated speed and agility by speed diving down to tree top and quickly pulling up as if in a roller coaster ride, along the top of the ridge and both heading South, hours apart. The last raptor and sighting of the day came with a Bald Eagle accompanied by a Red-tailed were seen flying above a "murder" of 27 crows from the NE to SW, in the wrong migration direction but in a good direction getting away from the incoming weather front.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds included: 1 American Robin, 6 Scrub Jays, 11 Black-billed Magpies, 4 Townsend's Solitaires often calling to each other, 2 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Eurasian Collared Doves and 4 Ravens. Insects were out including a single butterfly. 3 Mule Deer spent the entire day on the slope below the observation sight.
Predictions:
This evening's and overnight forecast calls for rain turning to snow, 1-5 inches, clearing by early a.m. Day time forecast 30s to 50s temperature. Expect a wet muddy/snowy trail. N.B. Even though it was in the 50s there today, the wind made it seem 5-10 degrees cooler.
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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