Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 30, 2014 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 5 | 100 | 103 |
| Osprey | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 2 | 27 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 33 | 38 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 56 | 71 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 115 | 245 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 4 | 11 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 64 | 78 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 20 | 22 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 19 | 24 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| Total: | 9 | 452 | 684 |
| Observation start time: | 09:15:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: | Don Taves |
Visitors:
A large group of German high school students on a learning exchange with Wheat Ridge High visited the site but seemed more interested in the views than the birds.
Weather:
A morning blue sky quickly gave way to a mostly cloudy day. A gentle morning breeze, but winds averaging 4 bft. from the NE with gusts to 30 mph from mid-morning on. Temperatures in the 40's all day.
Raptor Observations:
While local Turkey Vultures seem to wander over a wide range this time of year, five were observed to follow a fairly distinct migration pattern. In spite of fairly strong winds from the NE, migrants and a few local Red-tails seemed to glide effortlessly to the north. The last hour of observation was the most active.
Non-raptor Observations:
The observation was terminated slightly early (14:00) due to scheduling complications. Seen or heard, Black-billed Magpie, Western Scrub Jay, Bushtit, Common Raven, Western Meadowlark, chickadee, and numerous White-throated Swift.
Predictions:
Optimistically, lighter winds will be more conducive to migration and more pleasant for the observers.
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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