Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 29, 2019 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 93 | 93 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Total: | 2 | 147 | 147 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 11:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 2.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Debbie James |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
There were only two joggers on the trail, who only waved, but didn't stop. I hope to see you all at DFO's program hosting Brian Wheeler--Hawk Identification Expert, and author of many books, tomorrow--Saturday 1-3 at Unity Spiritual Center, 3021 S University Blvd Denver, CO 80210
Weather:
I headed over early trying to get time in before p.m. thunderstorms, only to find fog descending half way down the Ridge. I spent an hour at Matthews/Winter park hoping for clearing, but the ceiling would lower, then rise, and lower again. Finally at 10:00 I hiked up the Ridge just to see what it was like. Light corn snow was falling, along with mist from fog that made my parka wet. Up on top there was low visibility except to the southeast, but then soon socked in and snow/rain increased, so had to leave.
Raptor Observations:
I saw the migrating Cooper's Hawk from Matthews/Winter--it flew straight overhead, booking it north. The other migrator was probably an accipiter, but in the low light conditions + distance, I have to leave it at unidentified raptor. Up on the Ridge I saw a local Red Tailed hawk on the east side hunting. Heavy fog was at the Ridge summit, so couldn't see much else than below in the valleys, and even that was pretty obscured.
Non-raptor Observations:
There were a plethora of birds at Matthews/Winters that made my wait there pass quickly--it seems they are coming in for Spring. 25 American Robins; 2 Northern Flicker; 6 Black-billed Magpie; and 1 American Crow. There was a flock of about 30 small gray birds that I couldn't see well-enough to identify with my bins. Up on the Ridge I saw or heard, 1 Mountain Chickadee; 1 Townsend's Solitaire; and 1 Common Raven--heavily moulting--who had been harassing the Red Tailed Hawk, and then peeled off and swooped so low overhead that I could have jumped and touched it. It was simply gorgeous up on the Ridge , and it smelled divine. I'm glad I went up, if then only to eat my lunch in the rain/snow, and then come back down.
Predictions:
It appears there will be snow in the morning, but weather predicts clearing by 10 or 11 a.m. No doubt the hawks are hunkering down while the storm blows over, so maybe they will be moving again tomorrow.
Report submitted by Matthew Smith (matt.smith@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.org/
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
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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