Monday 7 March 2022

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (07 Mar 2022) 7 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 07, 2022
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture000
Osprey000
Bald Eagle555
Northern Harrier022
Sharp-shinned Hawk011
Cooper's Hawk000
Northern Goshawk022
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk22020
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk000
Golden Eagle077
American Kestrel011
Merlin011
Peregrine Falcon000
Prairie Falcon011
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter000
Unknown Buteo033
Unknown Falcon000
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor000
Total:74343


Observation start time: 09:30:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official CounterMike Fernandez
Observers: Ben Jacques, Dave Hill, Karen Fernandez



Visitors:
Only one visitor to the platform today, and he did ask about our findings. He was the only one even on the trail up the ridge.

Weather:
xVery bright morning, mostly clear skies. Heavy clouds gradually increased above the western horizon. Snow and very low visibility moved in at 15:00 and we ended the watch at 15:30 MST.

Raptor Observations:
First migrating raptor was at 12:30 (three hours into the watch), an adult Bald circling very high up and then disappearing into the clouds to the NW. Another adult and then a subadult (2nd-3rd yr) followed the same flight pattern within 20 min. Fourth Bald was adult and flapping constantly rather than up a column. Fifth Bald was a subadult and moved directly overhead. Local immature Golden flew right at us to the point we almost ran for cover. Ben is an experienced birder and an environmental educator. He jumped right up to speed. Looking forward to continuing to work with him this season.

Non-raptor Observations:
Observed: Canada Goose flyover (3), Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (2), Black-billed Magpie (4), Common Raven (9), Mountain Chickadee (2), Bushtit (37) and Townsend’s Solitaire (2).

Predictions:
Trail Conditions: Powder on the way up, mud & snow on the way down. Expect muddy trail conditions on Tuesday.


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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