Saturday 27 March 2021

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (27 Mar 2021) 71 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 27, 2021
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture000
Osprey000
Bald Eagle21212
Northern Harrier000
Sharp-shinned Hawk81414
Cooper's Hawk266
Northern Goshawk044
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk52159159
Rough-legged Hawk011
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk066
Golden Eagle255
American Kestrel122
Merlin244
Peregrine Falcon233
Prairie Falcon000
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter000
Unknown Buteo077
Unknown Falcon022
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor033
Total:71228228


Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official CounterDebbie James
Observers: Carol Cwiklinski, Robert Klipp, Steve Small, Susan Blansett



Visitors:
We set up north of the station, and so only had a couple of people stop to talk.

Weather:
Windy day. Once the temperature came up it made being on the Ridge a little more comfortable. High-ish humidity up to 40%.

Raptor Observations:
Bonanza day for Red Tail migrators. Also wonderful seeing the peregrines, Golden and Bald Eagles, and Merlins. Locals observed: at least 3 Red Tailed Hawks; one Golden Eagle; and a pair of American Kestrels. Most migrators were above the Ridge or close to it, and also very high, catching thermals that zoomed them north FAST. No flapping with those hawks. Sharpies were low and easy to see, as well as the Bald Eagle, who was very spectacular.

Non-raptor Observations:
Other species heard or seen: 1 Woodhouse's Scrub Jay; 13 Common Ravens including a couple flying an elaborate courting display; 13 American Crows; 2 Townsend's Solitaire; 9 American Robin; 1 Mountain Bluebird; and Hooray--our first White Throated Swift for the season.

Predictions:
Hopefully another heavy day for migrating raptors.


Report submitted by DAVID HILL ()
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: http://www.dfobirds.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 of any skill level are always welcome.
HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers 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
southwest end of lot to the 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.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)

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