Monday, 7 May 2012

[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (07 May 2012) Raptors

Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: May 07, 2012
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture019134
Osprey0016
Bald Eagle008
Northern Harrier006
Sharp-shinned Hawk0127
Cooper's Hawk0575
Northern Goshawk002
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk0012
Red-tailed Hawk012246
Rough-legged Hawk002
Swainson's Hawk0317
Ferruginous Hawk002
Golden Eagle0010
American Kestrel03105
Merlin005
Peregrine Falcon0011
Prairie Falcon0010
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter0243
Unknown Buteo0025
Unknown Falcon007
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor0014
Total:045777


Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 09:45:00
Total observation time: 1.75 hours
Official CounterRoger Rouch
Observers:



Visitors:
None.

Weather:
The weather did not accommodate the last day of the hawk count season. Cool with a light wind. Light to moderate continuous sleet. A low cloud ceiling obscured all western ridges with decent visibility at eye level and below. Observation discontinued early after the observer's gloves soaked through and weather showed no hint of improvement.

Raptor Observations:
A local Cooper's Hawk flew a few feet above the ground cover below ridge line.

Non-raptor Observations:
Few non-raptor birds observed.


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