Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 24, 2012 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 12 | 80 | 80 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| American Kestrel | 6 | 12 | 12 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total: | 24 | 134 | 134 |
| Observation start time: | 07:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Scott Severs, Tim Smart |
| Observers: | Dale Ball, Heidi Seeland, Jamie Ball, Tim Smart |
Visitors:
Tim Smart lead a field trip of seven folks from Denver Field Ornithologists to the ridge. 20 hikers stopped and inquired about the Hawk Watch.
Weather:
Mostly clear and warm, around 18 C all day. Winds averaged 1-3 B from ESE. Visibility good with some distant haziness.
Raptor Observations:
Finally some double digit days. 24 migrant raptors, plus local Red-tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles. Most activity along western ridge. Activity greatest between 0800-1100 MST (0900-1200 MDT).
Non-raptor Observations:
Bushtit 3, Spotted Towhee 3, Western Scrub-Jay 2, American Crow 4, Townsend's Solitaire 2, Western Bluebird 4, Tree Swallow 2, Mountain Chickadee 1, American Robin 8, Common Raven 12, Black-billed Magpie 2, Western Meadowlark 1,
Predictions:
Warm, dry, and windy. Raptors may be high and at limit of observation, scopes recommended.
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.
0 comments:
Post a Comment