Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (01 Mar 2022) 9 Raptors

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Mar 1, 2022, 8:41:28 PM3/1/22
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 01, 2022
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture000
Osprey000
Bald Eagle000
Northern Harrier222
Sharp-shinned Hawk000
Cooper's Hawk000
Northern Goshawk111
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk222
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk000
Ferruginous Hawk000
Golden Eagle333
American Kestrel000
Merlin111
Peregrine Falcon000
Prairie Falcon000
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter000
Unknown Buteo000
Unknown Falcon000
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor000
Total:999


Observation start time: 09:30:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official CounterJeff Birek
Observers: Darcy Juday



Visitors:
46 visitors. More than 20 asked about the HawkWatch.

Weather:
Unseasonably warm day with a light east breeze. Cirrus clouds nearby and some stratus far to the north.

Raptor Observations:
Several resident Golden Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks. Adult Northern Goshawk, Northern Harriers (seen over Green Mountain), and adult Golden Eagles are possibly resident birds and caution should be used to not recount these birds. I counted 2 harriers, 3 Golden Eagles (2 adults, one juvenile), and one adult Northern Goshawk as migrating birds based on behavior when observed.

Non-raptor Observations:
eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S103997374

Predictions:
It will be another early season day with low numbers of raptors likely. However there is predicted to be a north wind south of the site and winds are predicted to shift from west to the east later in the day. Very likely to have a decent push (for the early season) in the afternoon as birds that have migrated across the prairie during the day will concentrate along the Dakota Hogback at Dinosaur Ridge. Could have some nice thermal activity mid-day with some thermals causing a high flight. Emma, the official HawkWatcher for the season, will be starting tomorrow and will be on the hill Wednesdays through Sundays throughout the season.


Report submitted by David Hill (davidh...@gmail.com)
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: http://www.dfobirds.org
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]




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 of any skill level are always welcome.
HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers 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
southwest end of lot to the 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.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
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