Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 12, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 11 | 50 | 50 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 2 | 13 | 14 |
| Golden Eagle | 4 | 12 | 12 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total: | 23 | 100 | 101 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Carol Cwiklinski, Emma Riley |
| Observers: | Carol Cwiklinski, Aarohi Barman, Emma Riley, Shannon Campbell, Steve Small |
Visitors:
We had a busy day today with both visitors and observers. Big thanks to Carol Cwiklinski, Steve Small, Susan Blansett, Ginni Dickinson, Kathleen Stewart, and Shannon Campbell for their help spotting and IDing raptors with myself (Emma) and our second counter Aarohi (Ro). We were visited by 47 people recreating on the Dakota Ridge trail, with many visitors stopping to read our count board and ask questions about the migration. We were even joined by a very good dog named Butters, who was more interested in snacking than hawkwatching, but we appreciated the support nonetheless. Visitor interest seems to be increased from last year, with more people stopping to talk about the migration and showing interest in coming back with their families and friends.
Weather:
Today was a bit cooler than yesterday with temperatures barely breaking 8 degrees Celsius all day. Cloud cover was variable for most of the day, with light snow showers scattered across the horizon starting at 1400, bringing heavier cloud cover. We had some very light snow on and off in the afternoon. Winds were predominantly from the NE today with some variable winds when the snow rolled in.
Raptor Observations:
We said this yesterday but it again holds true, today was our biggest flight of the season. We observed 8 species of raptors (!) throughout the day, with highlights including a dark-morph FH, an adult NG, a very close adult SS, and both our first migrating PG and NH of the season. We counted a total of 23 migrants. We observed two main flight lines today were high and very distant over the western ridge, and low but distant below the western ridge. We were treated with our very close SS, and some local raptors. We spotted local RT(3), GE (2), BE (1), and our local PR was perched atop the power poles again early this morning.
Non-raptor Observations:
The morning started out with a group of SACR seen, our first of the season. We also observed more migrating MOBL (27), as well as some of our regulars- BCCH (2), TOSO (3), AMRO (1), DEJU (2), CORA (8), AMCR (2), and our first CAJA of the season. The elk are still viewable north of Mother Cabrini, and a lone elk could be seen laid down in the willows along the creek just below the ridge on the east side.
Predictions:
Tomorrow should be a little sunnier with less cloud cover, potentially bringing some strong thermals. Winds are predicted to be mild from the east. Looks like it could be another strong flight!
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]
Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - [Project Details]
Site Description
Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawk watch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Hawk watchers may
see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent site to see rare
dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Ferruginous
hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Other raptors we see include Golden
and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons,
Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey
Vultures. Northern Goshawk is uncommon but also counted each season. Non-raptor
species include Rock Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane,
White-throated Swift, American White Pelican, and Dusky Grouse. Birders of any
skill level are always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by a
Hawk Counter and volunteers from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM from March 1st to May 14th,
weather permitting.
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 hawk watch signs from the
southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch 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, and walk to
the flat area at the crest of the ridge. (Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain:
259 feet)
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