[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (21 Mar 2020) 3 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2020
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	10	10
Northern Harrier	0	0	0
Sharp-shinned Hawk	0	1	1
Cooper's Hawk	0	3	3
Northern Goshawk	0	0	0
Red-shouldered Hawk	0	0	0
Broad-winged Hawk	0	0	0
Red-tailed Hawk	1	55	55
Rough-legged Hawk	0	0	0
Swainson's Hawk	0	0	0
Ferruginous Hawk	0	0	0
Golden Eagle	0	2	2
American Kestrel	0	1	1
Merlin	0	1	1
Peregrine Falcon	1	1	1
Prairie Falcon	0	1	1
Mississippi Kite	0	0	0
Unknown Accipiter	1	1	1
Unknown Buteo	0	3	3
Unknown Falcon	0	0	0
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	0	4	4
Total:	3	83	83

Observation start time:	09:00:00
Observation end time:	12:00:00
Total observation time:	3 hours
Official Counter	Mitchell Blystone
Observers:

Visitors:
The trail in the early morning was very difficult to manage with 8-12" snow drifts and some underlying ice. There were a couple hikers that arrived around 10am to enjoy the view. Once the snow began to melt the trail and hilltop became very muddy and slick.

Weather:
The morning began calm, clear, and cold with only thin clouds to the southeast. Throughout the morning there was an abundance of sun that resulted in a high albedo effect making it challenging to spot in the glare.

Raptor Observations:
A slow day for raptors. The three migrators were fast moving and northbound without a doubt. A red-tailed hawk was seen moving north above Matthews Winters then seemed to land along the rock cliff side next to I-70 but was not seen leaving that location.

Non-raptor Observations:
Several Black capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Townsend's Solitaires, and Magpies were seen throughout the morning. A pair of crows were observed playing chase at different times in the morning.

Predictions:
Hopefully a more active day with warmer weather. Be careful on the trail and bring sunscreen!!

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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]

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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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