Tuesday, 2 May 2017

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (02 May 2017) 16 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: May 02, 2017
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture0170
Osprey1211
Bald Eagle0115
Northern Harrier002
Sharp-shinned Hawk71260
Cooper's Hawk1265
Northern Goshawk000
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk0019
Red-tailed Hawk00263
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk0014
Ferruginous Hawk008
Golden Eagle004
American Kestrel2345
Merlin000
Peregrine Falcon0111
Prairie Falcon006
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter4415
Unknown Buteo1128
Unknown Falcon008
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor0024
Total:1627668


Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 13:30:00
Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official CounterGary Rossmiller
Observers:


Weather:
Cool, chilly at times, overcast day with the sun breaking through at times. Wind was variable; up to 5 bft in the morning, calming to a 2 bft in the afternoon. Barometer dropped slightly 30.03" to 29.97". A few rain drops in the afternoon. Horizons visible but hazy. Very little snow left on northern slopes.

Raptor Observations:
Just a few local raptors, RT and TV, not a lot of activity. Otherwise, it was Accipter day! Several got by me before being sighted. Poor light at times and/or distance have them registered as UA. I confirmed one Cooper's. I believe all the others were SS. At 9:50 a very grayish bird went by at/below eye level. I believe a dark Swainson's. Long narrow hands, not a NH, did not have the disc or the lanky wings. It will be a UB.

Non-raptor Observations:
Jeffco trail crew working on water diversion today. Trail is dry, just a few moist/wet spots. Just a few people on the platform briefly. Very light trail use. Local birds active this morning then becoming mostly absent; Spotted Towhee, Woodhouse Scrubjay, Western Meadowlark, American Robin, Black billed Magpie, White Throated Swifts (lots!) Canyon Wren.

Predictions:
I hope it's just as entertaining tomorrow.


Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff.birek@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 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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