Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: May 04, 2012 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 7 | 12 | 127 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2 | 4 | 74 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 6 | 240 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1 | 2 | 16 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 2 | 104 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 2 | 43 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Total: | 10 | 28 | 760 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Cynthia Madsen |
| Observers: | Dave Hill, Michael Kiessig |
Visitors:
We spoke to 6 of the 5 hikers and 8 bikers visiting the ridge about RMBO HawkWatch. We also had a group of approximately 180 students on a field trip from Parker.
Weather:
It was hot and dry today with light winds primarily from the east. We were at 81 ℉ on our last weather check. The skies were cloudless until the end when the few that developed were most welcome.
Raptor Observations:
The number of migrating raptors was low again today with the majority being Turkey Vultures. A local Prairie Falcon was seen flying over the west ridge upon our arrival. There were approximately 6 to 8 local Turkey Vultures working all the ridges and 3 Red-tailed Hawks. One Swainson's Hawk was seen flying south, hopefully, not back to Argentina.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen today included one Gull species seen flying over Mount Morrison, Rock Pigeon, 1; White-throated Swift, 5; Broad-tailed Hummingbird, 3; Western Scrub-Jay, 2; Black-billed Magpie,2; American Crow, 3; Common Raven, 5; Tree Swallow, 1; Swallow species, 4; Rock Wren, 1; Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, 3; Spotted Towhee, 2; and Western Meadowlark, 2. We also had 2 hang gliders fly from Lookout Towers south over the ridge and to the east side. An Eastern Fence lizard scurried around our platform. Thanks to Janet Shin for her identification of this reptile who visited us on Wednesday as well.
Predictions:
Maybe with the changing forecast in the weather, we might see a final surge of migrating raptors...always hopeful! Take plenty of water and be prepared for the noise of the dirt bikes. Evidently a big event is planned...72 vans parked near the course.
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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