Sunday 10 April 2022

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (10 Apr 2022) 29 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 10, 2022
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture10109135
Osprey379
Bald Eagle5942
Northern Harrier0612
Sharp-shinned Hawk23039
Cooper's Hawk24657
Northern Goshawk113
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk2177592
Rough-legged Hawk003
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk0862
Golden Eagle1331
American Kestrel178110
Merlin159
Peregrine Falcon029
Prairie Falcon007
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter111
Unknown Buteo0410
Unknown Falcon024
Unknown Eagle033
Unknown Raptor005
Total:294911143


Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official CounterEmma Riley
Observers: Jeff Birek



Visitors:
There were 8 visitors to the hill today. Rob Hamilton joined us for a couple hours enjoying his first time hawkwatching!

Weather:
Started out fairly calm with winds out of the east-southeast. Within the first hour gusts began increasing and coming from the west-northwest. Gusts around 40 k/h (25 mph) were common later in the day eventually causing us to leave the count early as dust was flying on the ridge and conditions were very difficult for viewing.

Raptor Observations:
Had some decent movement of Turkey Vultures today. Several eagles, Ospreys, and all three species of accipiters (with one Northern Goshawk being a highlight). Still waiting for the first Swainson's Hawks and Broad-winged Hawks of the season but they should be coming any day!

Non-raptor Observations:
White-throated Swifts were flying over the ridge throughout the day amazing us with their aerobatic flight among the high winds. At one point we counted a group of at least 56 birds. Four Roosevelt Elk were seen on Green Mountain giving mountain bikers some great views over there.

Predictions:
If the occluded front that is over north Texas and New Mexico shifts north we could see some birds with it. But I'm skeptical that front will break in time for many birds to come through tomorrow. But I've been wrong before and always hope there will be lots of birds!


Report submitted by David Hill (davidhill2357@gmail.com)
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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