Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 22, 2017 | |||
| 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 | 7 | 7 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 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 | 21 | 136 | 136 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| American Kestrel | 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Total: | 26 | 188 | 188 |
| Observation start time: | 07:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: | Bill Wuerthele |
Visitors:
Several hikers stopped by briefly to ask about things and many commented on seeing some raptors along their hike. A couple from West Virginia stopped to talk and watch. The gentleman had a nice camera and telephoto lens and pictures of a hawk that looked probably like Ferruginous on the small LCD camera screen and were taken south of the our site along the trail. (Not seen or counted by us).
Weather:
A mild day with temps rising from about 40 f to the low 60's with a light wind around 2 Bft. from the E and SE. Moderate ground level haze with little hindrance to observation. As the day progressed, light haze also developed to ridge line height with observations slightly obscured.
Raptor Observations:
Highlights included two Ferruginous Hawks with bright white wing panels and tail that passed below eye level between the Green Mountain ridge and Dino ridge. A Harlan's passed directly over the observation platform about mid-day. There was a crazy flurry of local and migrating Red-tailed activity mid to late morning along the west ridges mostly not far above tree height with some below ridge and others disappearing behind the ridge. At one time seven Red-tailed swirled together with five peeling off to migrate and two locals returning to their territory. It's likely a few or more slipped by the observers during this active time.
Non-raptor Observations:
Three Sandhill Cranes circled fairly low (at least low for Sandhills) just south of the platform. Also, Spotted Towhee, Black-billed Magpie, Common Raven, American Crow, Bushtit, Woodhouse's Scrub-jay, Northern Flicker, American Robin, Townsend's Solitaire, Western Meadowlark.
Predictions:
Approaching front(s) could encourage more good raptor activity.
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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