Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2015 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 1 | 83 | 83 |
| Osprey | 2 | 12 | 12 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 33 | 39 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2 | 57 | 60 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 61 | 134 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 82 | 101 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 20 | 24 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 8 | 11 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Total: | 10 | 394 | 517 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: | Lee Farrell, Linda Farrell, Mitchell Blystone |
Visitors:
A lot of runners and hikers stopped on the observation area to rest and for the views, but few seemed interested in our activity.
Weather:
Temperatures ranged from the low 50's to mid-60's. Clear in the morning to mostly cloudy with storm clouds on the horizons by day's end. Winds were moderate at around 2 Bft. mostly from the E and SE, but shifting directions in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Migrating raptor counts were fairly evenly timed throughout the day. There was no real pattern for location and several were distant, including an intermediate Swainson's that required Lee's good photo work for identification. Local Red-tailed activity seemed less than usual and included a juvenile with very light upper wing panels. Wandering local Turkey Vultures all day that could have only been only a few individuals. And a local Cooper's Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
Seen or heard were American White Pelican, Spotted Towhee, Common Raven, Western Scrub Jay, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Western Meadowlark, chickadee, White-throated Swift, Rock Wren, Black-billed Magpie, and Broad-tailed Hummingbird.
Predictions:
Possibly a rain out or a short day early if the forecast is correct. It might be interesting to see if there will be another push after the this next front or if migration is winding down?
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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