Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 31, 2014 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 25 | 25 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 130 | 130 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Total: | 3 | 232 | 232 |
| Observation start time: | 08:15:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5 hours |
| Official Counter | Joyce Commercon |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
A few hikers and bikers came to the HawkWatch platform for the view, but none seemed interested in raptors.
Weather:
The day was fairly warm and very sunny with near constant winds at beaufort level 4 from the West and the West Northwest. Visibility was good, despite occasional clouds of dirt and dust lifting from the quarry and Red Rocks to the South.
Raptor Observations:
All observed migrant activity took place within about 30 minutes near noon, when one might have imagined the wind was letting up somewhat. A Golden Eagle was aggressively escorted by a local adult RTHA along WestRidge before it continued further north. A migrating Turkey Vulture passed at eye level on the West side of the Ridge. On its heels came an adult RTHA, fairly high and directly over the Ridge on its way North. The local RTHAs and the local Prairie Falcon made some appearances along both sides of the Ridge. The local juvenile RTHA was seen hunting low along the East side of the Ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
Also seen or heard were Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Western Scrub-Jay, Northern Flicker, American Robin, Townsend's Solitaire, White-throated Swift and Western Meadowlark. Eleven mule deer were spotted at the bottom of the Ridge in Rooney Valley.
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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