[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (17 Mar 2012) 6 Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 17, 2012
Species	Day's Count	Month Total	Season Total
Black Vulture	0	0	0
Turkey Vulture	0	0	0
Osprey	0	0	0
Bald Eagle	0	6	6
Northern Harrier	0	0	0
Sharp-shinned Hawk	0	0	0
Cooper's Hawk	2	5	5
Northern Goshawk	0	0	0
Red-shouldered Hawk	0	0	0
Broad-winged Hawk	0	0	0
Red-tailed Hawk	4	47	47
Rough-legged Hawk	0	1	1
Swainson's Hawk	0	1	1
Ferruginous Hawk	0	2	2
Golden Eagle	0	3	3
American Kestrel	0	4	4
Merlin	0	1	1
Peregrine Falcon	0	1	1
Prairie Falcon	0	5	5
Mississippi Kite	0	0	0
Unknown Accipiter	0	2	2
Unknown Buteo	0	2	2
Unknown Falcon	0	0	0
Unknown Eagle	0	0	0
Unknown Raptor	0	1	1
Total:	6	81	81

Observation start time:	08:00:00
Observation end time:	14:00:00
Total observation time:	6 hours
Official Counter	Gary Rossmiller
Observers:	Julia Auckland, Karen Bellina, Tim Smart

Visitors:
Tim Smart provided his expertise and scope. RT's and eagles may not have been spotted without his experience and the scope. Karen Bellina and Julia Aukland joined us mid-morning for several hours, both spotting activity. Rob from Jeffco Parks joined us at lunch.

Weather:
Chilly breeze out of the west first thing with light overcast blocking a warming sun. Horizon visible in all directions. Overcast increasing from 20% light wispy clouds to 90%. Falling barometer 29.53" down to 29.40". Wind gusting at times to 3-4 out of the east. Temp from 12 deg C to 20.6 deg C. Very pleasant, warming day with some cloud cover.

Raptor Observations:
Someone needs to turn on the raptor release valve! 2 CH east side of the ridge 0-1 height (first one very close), 4 RT to the west at great distances. Thought we had SS hawk heading consistently north till it reached I-70 and turned directly south and glided away. A couple of golden eagles sighted to the west. No locals on the power poles today.

Non-raptor Observations:
A few local RT's during the day, ravens, robins, shrub jays, western meadowlark heard early to the east. 4 deer below us on the east side, herds of deer and elk scattered on Apex Mountain. A raucous committee of magpies flew about later in the afternoon. Hot air balloons to the north early in the morn. Very busy day on the trail.

Predictions:
I'm betting the count will continue to be low until this warm weather pattern is shaken up.

---

Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.birek@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.