Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 30, 2013
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 9 9
Osprey 0 1 1
Bald Eagle 0 27 27
Northern Harrier 0 1 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 6 6
Cooper's Hawk 1 10 10
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 12 130 130
Rough-legged Hawk 0 5 5
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
Ferruginous Hawk 0 8 8
Golden Eagle 0 3 3
American Kestrel 6 18 18
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 1 1 1
Prairie Falcon 0 13 13
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 4 4
Unknown Buteo 0 9 9
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 2 2
Total: 20 247 247
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Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Lee Farrell
Observers: Erik Larsen, Jennifer Clay, Karen Balog, Linda Farrell,
Pat Conner
Visitors:
A number of hikers stopped by the station for the view, with only a few
individuals expressing interest in what we were doing.
As usual, Park Patrol Rob Reilly stopped for a few hours and was vey
helpful.
Weather:
A pleasant day on the hill, maintaining the optimum layers of clothing
being the only challenge with the sun in and out from behind the clouds and
the changing winds. Temperatures ranged from 6 to 16 degrees Celsius. Calm
to light winds variable in direction were experienced throughout the
morning developing into a stiffer breeze, 2-3 Beaufort out of the northwest
for most of the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Observers during the day included Linda Farrell, Jennifer Clay, Karen
Balog, Erik Larson, Nelson Ford, Pat Connor, and Ranger Rob Reilly.
Calm to light winds of the morning made determination of resident vs
migrator challenging as it sometimes can be. Four or five RTH were
determined to be local. One first-year RTH (distinctive via missing
primaries and secondaries) was first observed roaming about. Reappearing
later, circled high, glided away to the north and was counted.
Unusual, raptors continued to appear after 3:00 PM MST. While on the trail
to the parking lot, two larger falcons were seen to pass by overhead
(separate occasions) and were not counted. A local pair of RTH put on a
nice aerial courtship display, also observed on the trip down to the
parking lot.
Non-raptor Observations:
At least eight flocks of Mountain Bluebirds were seen heading north along
the ridge. Non-raptor species included: Bushtit, American Crow, American
Robin, Common Raven, Northern Flicker, Western Meadowlark, Townsend's
Solitaire, Black-billed Magpie, White-throated Swift, Western Scrub-Jay.
Predictions:
A nice day with few clouds and low winds is predicted, similar migration
counts as observed the last few days would seem likely. As sometimes
occurs, the raptors may pass by at higher elevations with a clear sky.
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Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory ([email protected])
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at:
http://www.rmbo.org/
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 are always welcome.
The hawkwatch is generally staffed by volunteers from the Rocky Mountain
Bird Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of
March to the first week of May.
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 south side of lot to 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.
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