Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 21, 2012 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 7 | 89 | 90 |
| Osprey | 0 | 10 | 11 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 | 15 | 18 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 49 | 57 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 67 | 218 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| American Kestrel | 6 | 68 | 88 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 2 | 23 | 27 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 11 | 19 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| Total: | 25 | 370 | 600 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Gary Rossmiller |
| Observers: | Jim Schmoker, Joe Lupfer, Karen Clark |
Visitors:
Excellent eyes today, what a difference that makes! Tammy Sanders & Ken Mesch until mid-morning. Jim Schmoker, Joe & Karen for most of the day. Two couples stopped by for several hours mid-day; Tom & Cheryl and Tom & Debbie. All helped spot and identify.
Weather:
Beautiful day, hills very green (for Colorado). Extremely windy until late morning, force 7. Started out of the west coming down the canyon, changing to east at 11am, then northerly. Lots of haze due to dust. A few clouds later in the day. Slightly decreasing barometer, humidity spike around noon.
Raptor Observations:
Most of the raptors were very near the ridge, even below on the east side, a few to the west over hills. Lots of good views as they passed by. Kestrels, SS, Cooper's, Peregrine, Swainson's, TV's and a Golden Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations:
Everyone was entertained till late morning with flocks of white-throated swifts in all directions and all heights. (200-300?) Some came by so close you could hear the air coming of the wings. Western Meadowlarks and Robins very vocal early in the morning. Ruby Crowned Kinglet spotted by Tammy.
Predictions:
Fewer
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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