Saturday, 19 March 2016

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge (19 Mar 2016) 14 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 19, 2016
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture000
Osprey000
Bald Eagle188
Northern Harrier022
Sharp-shinned Hawk022
Cooper's Hawk000
Northern Goshawk000
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk129696
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk011
Golden Eagle111
American Kestrel066
Merlin000
Peregrine Falcon011
Prairie Falcon022
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter011
Unknown Buteo066
Unknown Falcon044
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor022
Total:14132132


Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official CounterMitchell Blystone
Observers: Mike Fernandez



Visitors:
None. Weather kept the people of the ridge and the best part was there was no motorcycle and shooting range noise!

Weather:
The day started out very cold but calm with nearly 100% cloudy cover. Throughout the day the clouds dissipated down to about 30% and a very light breeze came out of the southeast.

Raptor Observations:
We had several sightings of the local Red Tails as well as a Female Kestrel. The day started with most of the migrants being at or below the ridge but once the sun started breaking through almost all sightings were very high and really well lite from the snow reflection. Several times we had a lot of activity all at once then a slight lull and the another burst would appear.

Non-raptor Observations:
The best part of the early morning was a flock of around 20-40 Blue Birds (Mountain?) that hung around the pines along the east side. There were many Robin, Northern Flicker, Townsends Solitaire, Black-Capped Chickadee, sightings and at least one Scrub Jay. There was a Raven pair that entertained us all day as well.

Predictions:
Bring sunscreen! At times we found it easier to have our backs to the south (and sun) and find the birds high above but really well lite up against the clouds or blue sky. Hopefully an even better day than we had!


Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff.birek@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 Bird Conservancy of the
Rockies from about 9 AM to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.

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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