Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 26, 2016 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 152 | 152 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Prairie Falcon | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total: | 3 | 211 | 211 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 0 hours |
| Official Counter | Jeff Birek |
| Observers: | Mike Fernandez |
Visitors:
Visitors: Very few (as in one). Only four people on the trail total. One, a lifelong local, stopped by and we chatted for a little while. Off-leash dogs chased away the elk who were hanging out below the platform on the west side.
Weather:
Light snow plus low-hanging 100% cloud cover made for limited visibility for the entirety of observation hours. Fog obscured the Green Mountain tower, Mt. Morrison summit, and Cabrini; Red Rocks marked the upper edge of the monochromatic landscape.
Raptor Observations:
With very light wind, high humidity and only a brief thermal uplift opportunity, the watch focus was mostly on low-flying fast-flapping migrators in earnest for better spring break conditions. One local red-tailed hawk flew south and then turned east; another appeared down ridge and then turned west--after harassing a migrating falcon. A local kestrel appeared down-ridge, hovered and then turned back south.
Non-raptor Observations:
Encountered a group of three elk just off the trail on the way up to the platform. First time I've seen them on our side of the highway. This was a great day for quiet solitary observation.
Predictions:
Easter Sunday trekkers will have a few more tamped footsteps to follow on the trudge up the hill. Sunny warming conditions could make for slick conditions--but excellent birding.
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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