Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 09, 2019 | |||
| 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 | 2 | 2 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 5 | 13 | 13 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 5 | 15 | 15 |
| Observation start time: | 08:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 11:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 2.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Mitchell Blystone |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
A very slow Saturday on the trail. The initial incline is not in terrible shape but the tail through the tree line is very muddy. A couple bikers and two pairs of visitors came up to the hilltop for the view but then quickly left for the trees.
Weather:
Very windy day on the hilltop! The sun and wind were unimpeded throughout the morning and the wind seemed to challenge the migrators a little. Gust were around 20-25mph and at times the power lines were whistling in the wind gusts! I admittedly called it a day earlier than I intended because my eyes could not take the wind and dust anymore.
Raptor Observations:
Red-tailed hawks were seen throughout the morning. The wind made for some difficult decisions on whether they were moving north or were locals. I only observed one that took the wind to a very high elevation and the rest remained lower along the hillsides. Their flight was labored against the winds and some seemed as if they were just locals with their slower flight and occasional circling. I tried to stay with them long enough to be sure they were on their northern journey. I did however see a Peregrine Falcon move at top speed from the southern end of the ridge line, head on, straight over the platform low enough to ID with the naked eye and not stop moving north until I lost sight. I chose not to mark it down due to local Peregrines being spotted and it being early in the season. If I'm being a crazy person please let me know! Still a fantastic sight to see.
Non-raptor Observations:
Not much activity along the hillsides. A couple Ravens, Magpies, and Scrub Jays made appearances but it seemed that most stayed low.
Predictions:
Hopefully a more pleasant day up there! Be prepared for the mud and maybe bring some sunscreen. I am curious if there is movement along the Matthew Winters hill side. Had a difficult time looking in that direction and fear I missed some using that ridge line to move north. Enjoy!
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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