Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 23, 2022 |
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 | 16 | 16 |
Northern Harrier | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 105 | 105 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 22 | 22 |
Golden Eagle | 0 | 21 | 21 |
American Kestrel | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Merlin | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Prairie Falcon | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Total: | 0 | 193 | 193 |
Observation start time: | 10:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 10:45:00 |
Total observation time: | 1 hours |
Official Counter | Emma Riley |
Observers: | Deb Bogard, Doug Anderson, Sammy Korengut |
Visitors:Deb Bogar, Doug Anderson, and Sammy Korengut stuck out the winds today to
help observe and count at the alternate site.
Weather:Blue skies all day with winds from the north reaching speeds of 44 km/h by
11 on top of the ridge. We decided to continue counting from an alternate
site at a lower elevation. Winds stayed strong for most of the day, dying
down for just a bit in the early afternoon. Wind speeds reached 43 km/h at
the alternate site but averaged about 20 km/h throughout the day.
*All alternate site data will be listed below- including all migrant data.
Raptor Observations:Despite the strong N winds, we had a slow but steady day of migrants.
Migrants stuck close to the ridge for most of the day but gained great
elevation in the last hour of the day. RTHA were the only birds seen until
1400, but we ended up having a strong push of GOEA in the afternoon with 6
migrants and 5 locals seen. Local Sharp-shinned Hawk was also seen twice
today flying close to the ridge.
1100 - N winds 35 km/h, 8.5 C, 14.3% rh, 29.27 inHg, 5% CC, full vis
RTHA - light adult - overhead 0
1200 - N winds 37 km/h, 8.7 C, 18% rh, 29.29 inHg, 5% CC, full vis
RTHA - light adult - overhead 0
RTHA - light adult - overhead 0
No birds 1300- N winds 43 km/h, 7.9 C, 17% rh, 29.26 inHg, 0% CC, full vis
1400 - N winds 21 km/h, 10.9 C, 16.5% rh, 29.26 inHg, 0% CC, full vis
(2) RTHA - light adults - overhead 2
(2) RTHA - light adults - overhead 2
GOEA - adult - overhead 2
1500 - N winds 15 km/h, 11.2 C, 17.2% rh, 29.25 inHg, 1% CC, full vis
(2) GOEA - adult - overhead 2
GOEA - immature - overhead 4
RTHA - light adult - overhead 4
1600 - N winds 20 km/h, 10.3 C, 17.1% rh, 29.26 inHg, 0% CC, full vis
(2) GOEA - adult - overhead/east 2
RTHA - unknown adult - overhead 2
RTHA - light adult - overhead 5
1700 - N winds 16 km/h, 8.8 C, 16.6% rh, 29.25 inHg, 0% CC, full vis
GOEA - adult - overhead 5
Flight direction: N all day
Flight heigh: 1200-1500: 0, 1500-1600: 1, 1600-1700: 4, 1700-1730:5
Total migrants:
10 RTHA
7 GOEA
Non-raptor Observations:Passerine activity was low today, with a few Dark-eyed Juncos, two
Woodhouse's Scrub-jays, and a handful of American Robins. Corvids were seen
sporadically throughout the day playing in the winds as well as sticking
close to the ridge.
Predictions:Sunny with much lighter winds from the west tomorrow. Trail is dry.
Report submitted by DAVID HILL (
)
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at:
http://www.dfobirds.orgMore information at
hawkcount.org: [
Site Profile] [
Day Summary] [
Month Summary]
Site DescriptionDinosaur 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)