Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 03, 2021 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 4 5 8 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 0 13 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 3 17 Cooper's Hawk 0 4 15 Northern Goshawk 0 0 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 1 1 1 Red-tailed Hawk 5 14 207 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 6 Golden Eagle 0 0 6 American Kestrel 0 1 3 Merlin 0 0 4 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 4 Prairie Falcon 0 0 1 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1 Unknown Buteo 0 0 9 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 3 Total: 10 28 305 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Debbie James Observers: Jim Esten, Susan Blansett Visitors: We set up north of the platform, and so had very few visitors. Weather: Blasting HOT!! It was 76 degrees F when we left the Ridge. Very low humidity, and the entire Denver basin was enveloped in a yellow haze (pollution?), until mid afternoon. Raptor Observations: Two local Red Tail Hawks seen courting the first hour. Pitiful number of migrants, especially for April. All traveled directly over the Ridge. Non-raptor Observations: Seen or heard: Flicker 1; Crow 2; Raven 1; Robin 1; Big kettle of something the size of crows over the West Ridge; Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 3; Black-capped Chickadee 3; White-breasted Nuthatch 1; 6 Canada Geese flying in tandem north; House Finch 6; Solitaire 3; Western Bluebird 1; Magpie 1. Predictions: Hopefully better than today as far as migrating Raptors are concerned. ======================================================================== Report submitted by DAVID HILL () Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: http://www.dfobirds.org More site information at hawkcount.org: https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=123 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) -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/6bfcd8158c566d1a01f4d566df9efc79%40hawkcount.org.