Dinosaur Ridge (21 Mar 2017) 13 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
Mar 21, 2017, 8:13:46 PM3/21/17
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Just a few people casually stopping by.
Weather:
Cool and hazy all day with increasing clouds. Horizons barely visible. Completely overcast towards end of day. Falling barometer from 30.21" to 30.12" Breeze out of the N, NW direction starting at 3-4 bft ending at 1-2 bft.
Raptor Observations:
Locals fairly active. A solitary Coopers, Kestrel, and Sharp-Shinned Hawk were welcome along with a small push of RT's between 11-12 MST. A Prairie Falcon went by just as I got back to the parking lot, not counted. With increasing cloudiness (poor light) and flight height it became difficult to identify a couple of raptors.
Non-raptor Observations:
Meadow Larks heard all day on both sides of the ridge. An occasional Robin and Townsend Solitaire heard. A few Magpies, Crows, Swifts, and Bushtits. 3 deer crossed the hiway early coming back to the ridge.
Predictions:
Hopefully with the high pressure system breaking up there will be more activity.
Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 Bird Conservancy of the
Rockies from about 9 AM to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.
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.
Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2017 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 8 | 115 | 115 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| American Kestrel | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Total: | 13 | 162 | 162 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5 hours |
| Official Counter | Gary Rossmiller |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Just a few people casually stopping by.
Weather:
Cool and hazy all day with increasing clouds. Horizons barely visible. Completely overcast towards end of day. Falling barometer from 30.21" to 30.12" Breeze out of the N, NW direction starting at 3-4 bft ending at 1-2 bft.
Raptor Observations:
Locals fairly active. A solitary Coopers, Kestrel, and Sharp-Shinned Hawk were welcome along with a small push of RT's between 11-12 MST. A Prairie Falcon went by just as I got back to the parking lot, not counted. With increasing cloudiness (poor light) and flight height it became difficult to identify a couple of raptors.
Non-raptor Observations:
Meadow Larks heard all day on both sides of the ridge. An occasional Robin and Townsend Solitaire heard. A few Magpies, Crows, Swifts, and Bushtits. 3 deer crossed the hiway early coming back to the ridge.
Predictions:
Hopefully with the high pressure system breaking up there will be more activity.
Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 Bird Conservancy of the
Rockies from about 9 AM to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.
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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