Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 29, 2016 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 10 | 14 | 14 |
| Osprey | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 11 | 175 | 175 |
| 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 | 12 | 12 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Buteo | 1 | 13 | 13 |
| Unknown Falcon | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total: | 30 | 262 | 262 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Bill Flowers |
| Observers: | Kathleen Stewart |
Visitors:
A couple stopped by for a few minutes in the morning and looked around. In the afternoon we had a serious birder from Texas stop by, but he was looking for the Dusky Grouse that was reported on the ridge. We discussed where some better sites for this species would be as we discussed the raptors we had observed.
Weather:
It was a good day for raptor spotting with high, thin clouds and very light winds. The temperature ranged from 40 to 55 degrees F.
Raptor Observations:
Most of the migrating raptors were seen between 9:30 to 13:00 MST. The morning birds were primarily along the West Ridge, seemingly always being escorted by resident birds, usually the Red-tailed Hawks. The afternoon birds were directly over the Hawkwatch site. We saw several species with highlights on Osprey and Northern Harrier. Resident raptors included Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Golden Eagle, and Turkey Vulture. A Turkey Vulture actually landed on the east side of Dinosaur Ridge about midway between the Hawkwatch Site and the valley floor I watched it spread its wings to gather some sunshine for warmth and it seemed to be looking for something around some the Mountain Mahogany and the Junipers. It was on the ground about a half hour.
Non-raptor Observations:
The following birds were heard/seen: American Robin, Western Meadowlark, Black-billed Magpie, Townsend's Solitaire, Common Raven, and Western-scrub Jay. There was a Cottontail Rabbit on the site first thing in the morning. Kathleen saw 10 or so Elk walking the slippery trail up around lunch time. There were at least 15 Elk on the Cabrini Ridge.
Predictions:
Unfortunately with the weather forecast (snow/rain), the migrating raptors may not be a plentiful as today. But the migration is definitely increasing.
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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