Thursday 30 March 2023

[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (30 Mar 2023) Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 30, 2023
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture01515
Osprey022
Bald Eagle03131
Northern Harrier01111
Sharp-shinned Hawk088
Cooper's Hawk01818
Northern Goshawk077
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk0290290
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk03940
Golden Eagle02626
American Kestrel06060
Merlin01010
Peregrine Falcon055
Prairie Falcon055
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter033
Unknown Buteo011
Unknown Falcon000
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor022
Total:0533534


Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 12:00:00
Total observation time: 3.5 hours
Official CounterEmma Riley
Observers: Gary Rossmiller, Karen Fernandez, Mike Fernandez



Visitors:
Thank you to Gary Rossmiller and Karen & Mike Fernandez for sticking out the winds for the morning. We saw 9 visitors at the ridge, including John (did not catch his last name), a high school science teacher from Denver. He plans to return to the ridge soon.

Weather:
The sun was out today with little cloud cover, however winds were strong from the get go. Wind speeds averaged 13-16 mph for the first two hours, with gusts of 20-26 mph. Dust clouds could be seen at the gravel pits and scattered across the eastern horizon. By 1100 MST the gusts began to turn into the average speed, with debris getting kicked up. The count was ended at 1200 MST.

Raptor Observations:
No migrants were seen today. The local RT pair were seen throughout the morning utilizing the winds to kite while hunting, which was great to be able to watch.

Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor activity was all but gone today with 3 CORA, 3 AMCR, 2 TOSO, and 1 DEJU seen over the three and a half hours.

Predictions:
Tomorrow is again expected to see moderate temperatures and sun, but winds may be stronger than today. 20+ mph wind averages are expected at 0900 MST, with gale force winds predicted just a few hours after. If predictions are correct, our count will be halted.


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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