Thursday, 13 March 2014

[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (13 Mar 2014) Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 13, 2014
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture000
Osprey000
Bald Eagle077
Northern Harrier000
Sharp-shinned Hawk011
Cooper's Hawk011
Northern Goshawk000
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk01717
Rough-legged Hawk033
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk033
Golden Eagle011
American Kestrel011
Merlin000
Peregrine Falcon000
Prairie Falcon011
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter000
Unknown Buteo000
Unknown Falcon000
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor011
Total:03636


Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official CounterRoger Rouch
Observers: Claude Vallieres, Pat Conner, Rob Reilly



Visitors:
None.

Weather:
Temperatures quickly warmed into the 50's and remained there all day. A persistent wind around 3 bft. from the west and northwest. Clear sky giving way to a few clouds.

Raptor Observations:
No migrating raptors counted. Observers speculated the predominately western wind might have been a partial explanation? Local raptors were American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk, repeated sightings of a Prairie Falcon(s), and several local Red-Tail Hawks as individuals and pairs.

Non-raptor Observations:
Also sighted: American Crow, Common Raven, Black-billed Magpie, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Townsend's Solitaire, Western Scrub Jay, Norther Flicker, and Dark-eyed Junco. Several Mountain Bluebirds flew past the site as singles and small groups.

Predictions:
Hopefully better!


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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