Sunday 3 March 2019

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (03 Mar 2019) Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 03, 2019
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture000
Osprey000
Bald Eagle000
Northern Harrier000
Sharp-shinned Hawk000
Cooper's Hawk000
Northern Goshawk000
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk000
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk000
Golden Eagle000
American Kestrel000
Merlin000
Peregrine Falcon000
Prairie Falcon000
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter000
Unknown Buteo000
Unknown Falcon000
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor000
Total:000


Observation start time: 12:00:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 1 hours
Official CounterMike Fernandez
Observers:



Visitors:
No visitors.

Weather:
On arrival at platform, sky 100% cloud cover but some hint of blue showing through and very light snow. By end of 1-hr watch, snow increased, temperature dropped 5 degrees F, wind increased, snowfall increased, and complete white out above. Able to see Mt Morrison and Green Mountain at first but both not visible an hour later. Snow fell entire watch, with 3-4 inches of snow on the ground, increasing intensity over the hour. No tracks in the snow except two coyotes who used the trail from near the Stego lot all the way to the platform and beyond. (PWS: Solterra)

Raptor Observations:
Migrating Raptors: NONE Non-Migrating Raptors: Falcon species flew directly south over the ridge. Visible as narrow profile from behind only. But at end of ridge did a complex barrel roll, seemingly to shake the snow off its upper wings, which gave a view of wing shape that suggested Falcon species.

Non-raptor Observations:
Common Raven (1), Black-billed Magpie (1), Dark-eyed Junco - Oregon (1), Black-capped Chickadee (2).

Predictions:
Unpredictable, but last year this time we had several Red-tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles. Trail is covered with 3-6 inches of snow and with current temperature predictions that will be the status on Monday as well. Keep an eye out and be ready for coyotes.


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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