Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 20, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 3 82 85
Osprey 6 8 8
Bald Eagle 0 2 27
Northern Harrier 0 3 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 30 35
Cooper's Hawk 8 45 60
Northern Goshawk 0 2 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 9 90 220
Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 9
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
Ferruginous Hawk 0 1 9
Golden Eagle 0 3 10
American Kestrel 0 57 71
Merlin 0 4 4
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3
Prairie Falcon 0 1 6
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 4 19 21
Unknown Buteo 0 10 15
Unknown Falcon 1 3 3
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 3 7
Total: 36 366 598
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Lee Farrell
Observers: Bill Wuerthele, Francis Commercon, Joe Elliott, Joe Lupfer,
Karen Clark, Karen Fernandez, Linda Farrell,
Mike Fernandez
Visitors:
A number of hikers inquired as to what we were doing, a few of them were
interested and conversed with several of us on the subject of migration.
Weather:
A nice day on the ridge with a generally light breeze, 1 to 2 bft, and
temperatures in the 50s and 60s F. A partly cloudy to mostly cloudy day,
high somewhat thin clouds provided skies friendly to observing high flying
migrators.
Raptor Observations:
A good count today with 36 migrating raptors. Birds were migrating at all
levels, some close on both sides of the ridge while others were observed at
long distance high above and most often to the west. Observations at a
distance provided for the 4 unknown accipiters reported.
With only two Ospreys counted prior, seeing six Ospreys today was an
interesting surprise.
Shortly after 2:00 PM a Peregrine Falcon circled up and passed close to the
station on the east side of the ridge in what appeared at first to be
migrating behavior. North of I-70 the bird soared for quite some time
sharing a thermal with a migrating Osprey in what then appeared to be
hunting behavior. The Peregrine grew tired of the Osprey after a period of
time and dove on it, driving it off to the north. The Peregrine was
considered a resident and not counted as migrating.
Other resident raptors observed included an American Kestrel and three or
more Turkey Vultures.
Non-raptor Observations:
The first Violet-green Swallows of the season passed by the station. A
dozen or more White-throated Swifts entertained with their impressive
flight displays and three American White Pelicans passed to the north of
the station.
Other species seen or heard included, Spotted Towhee, Western Meadowlark,
Northern Flicker, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Western Scrub-Jay, Black-billed
Magpie, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Common
Grackle and House Finch.
Predictions:
Tomorrow's weather forecast for is for a day similar to today, and
hopefully a similar or better day of migrating raptors.
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Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.bi...@rmbo.org)
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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