[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (15 Mar 2015) 6 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 15, 2015
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	1	1
Northern Harrier	0	1	1
Sharp-shinned Hawk	0	0	0
Cooper's Hawk	1	1	1
Northern Goshawk	0	0	0
Red-shouldered Hawk	0	0	0
Broad-winged Hawk	0	0	0
Red-tailed Hawk	4	20	20
Rough-legged Hawk	0	1	1
Swainson's Hawk	0	0	0
Ferruginous Hawk	0	1	1
Golden Eagle	0	2	2
American Kestrel	1	2	2
Merlin	0	0	0
Peregrine Falcon	0	0	0
Prairie Falcon	0	1	1
Mississippi Kite	0	0	0
Unknown Accipiter	0	1	1
Unknown Buteo	0	0	0
Unknown Falcon	0	0	0
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	0	0	0
Total:	6	31	31

Observation start time:	08:30:00
Observation end time:	13:30:00
Total observation time:	5 hours
Official Counter	Lee Farrell
Observers:	Linda Farrell, Pearl Jordan

Visitors:
The trail was crowded most of the day with mountain bikers, runners and hikers out enjoying the warm sunny day. Both parking lots were full and cars lined both sides of the road from I-70 south beyond view from the ridge. Several hikers visited the station with interest limited to wondering what we were doing.

Weather:
Beautiful day with record high temperatures in the upper 70's (F). High, thin cirrus clouds ranged from about 40% to 100% coverage during the day. Winds averaging 1-2 BFT were out of the NW in the morning, and moved around to the SE by early afternoon.

Raptor Observations:
The majority of raptor activity took place over West Ridge. Numerous local Red-tailed Hawks were observed, particularly during the morning hours circling upward and traveling along west ridge, often preforming courtship displays. One pair jousted with four Ravens over airspace for a period of time. A sub-adult resident Golden Eagle was observed. Migrating raptors included a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk, Harlan's Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and American Kestrel.

Non-raptor Observations:
Mountain Bluebirds were seen traveling north above the ridge. Other species observed included: Western Scrub-jay, Black-billed Magpie, Northern Flicker, Mountain Chickadee, Bushtit, Townsend's Solitaire, Common Raven, American Crow and American Robin.

Predictions:
More of the same, weather and raptor activity wise. The trail is now dry and in comparatively good condition.

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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.