Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 17, 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 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 23 | 23 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 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: | 1 | 34 | 34 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Claude Vallieres |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Few people on the trail which is dry and clear. No visitors and no other observers.
Weather:
The day started with thick, heavy & dark ominous cloud cover at 98% and at 7600 ft. covering the Genesee area. Visibility was from the initial 20 km and increased to 30 km as the day progressed with continued light haze. Temperatures ranged from 6-11 C (36-43F) with 0-25 mph winds with occasional gusts being higher. Contrary to many forecasts it did not rain. The sun briefly appeared early on but came out fully late morning parting the clouds which receded both to the far South and to the North. High humidity at95% lowered to 80% as it warmed up.
Raptor Observations:
Only 1 adult Red-tailed Hawk was seen migrating at eye level on the East side of the ridge. It migrated North initially but turned NE heading out of sight over South Table Mountain. Both migration and local bird/raptor activity was minimal. Five Red-tailed sightings were had which consisted of 3 adults and 2 light juveniles. Also seen was one adult Golden Eagle who flew at a light juvenile Red-tailed who was pursuing a juvenile Golden Eagle. These were the only raptor sightings of the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen or heard were American Robins,1 Canada Goose, Black-billed Magpies, numerous Ravens, House Finch, Western Meadowlark, Northern Flicker, Mt. Chickadees, Western Scrub Jays, American Crow and Eurasian Collared-doves.
Predictions:
Forecast call for warming temperature with mostly cloudy skies.
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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