Sunday 13 March 2022

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (13 Mar 2022) 15 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 13, 2022
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture000
Osprey000
Bald Eagle077
Northern Harrier033
Sharp-shinned Hawk011
Cooper's Hawk000
Northern Goshawk022
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk83737
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk222
Golden Eagle31515
American Kestrel233
Merlin011
Peregrine Falcon000
Prairie Falcon022
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter000
Unknown Buteo033
Unknown Falcon000
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor000
Total:157676


Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official CounterCarol Cwiklinski
Observers: Steve Small



Visitors:
Sunny drove all the way from Texas to see his lifer golden eagle. He was patient and was rewarded with an adult flying right over us about 20 feet above the ridge. He did the happy dance. We had 126 visitors to the top, and 22 people asked about the hawk watch. An annoying drone flew over us, too close to the power lines. The trail has some muddy areas but it is not too bad.

Weather:
Good weather today, starting out sunny and comfortable with light winds. Later clouds moved in from the north and winds increased making it much cooler. By days end, the winds became a problem just in time to end the count.

Raptor Observations:
We have labeled this golden eagle day. We had as many as six GE, one subadult and five adult, in the air at the same time. They seemed to mill around most of the day. We were able to tease out three migrants from the mix. We had a nice variety of raptors today and although still slow, it felt like birds are starting to move. The adult FH gave us good looks. We observed a non migrating prairie falcon and Cooper̢۪s hawk in addition to the golden eagles and red-tailed hawks.

Non-raptor Observations:
Sandhill Cranes (21), Mountain bluebirds (36), white-breasted nuthatch and the usual species seen.

Predictions:
No snow in the forecast.


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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