Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 09, 2012 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 16 | 17 |
| Osprey | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 10 | 18 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 34 | 185 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 9 | 29 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 10 | 91 | 321 |
| Observation start time: | 07:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: | Bill Flowers, Bill Wuerthele |
Visitors:
A group of about 8 hikers stopped briefly and asked where the tally board for migrating raptors was located.
Weather:
A cool morning with temperatures warming into the upper 60's with a mild breeze from the east off and on during the day. Mostly clear. A light haze along all horizons in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Most migrating raptors were along the west ridge at the limit of binoculars and requiring a scope for potential identification. There was a small flurry of activity near the noon hour. A migrating Osprey flew straight down the ridge and was the bird of the day. Several local redtail observations during the day with a light juvenile observed several times over and along the sides of the ridge. Also two local turkey vultures, a local kestrel, and local prairie.
Non-raptor Observations:
Spotted towhee, robin, and meadow lark were heard singing and sighted in small numbers. A group of 8 raven cruised up and down the ridge for part of the day. A crow, two dark-eyed junco, three western scrub jay, four rock pigeons, a solitare, two mountain bluebirds, and two white-throated swifts.
Predictions:
There seems to be a pattern for migrators over the west ridge and distant, with a few more of the later season species showing 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.
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