Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2022 |
Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Turkey Vulture | 0 | 138 | 164 |
Osprey | 0 | 8 | 10 |
Bald Eagle | 0 | 11 | 44 |
Northern Harrier | 0 | 7 | 13 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 30 | 39 |
Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 54 | 65 |
Northern Goshawk | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 198 | 613 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 1 | 9 | 63 |
Golden Eagle | 0 | 4 | 32 |
American Kestrel | 6 | 104 | 136 |
Merlin | 0 | 7 | 11 |
Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 3 | 10 |
Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 4 | 10 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Total: | 12 | 587 | 1239 |
Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 12:30:00 |
Total observation time: | 3.5 hours |
Official Counter | Emma Riley |
Observers: | Deb Bogar |
Visitors:Big thanks to Deb Bogar for sticking out the winds and cold with me this
morning. No visitors were seen at the Hawk Watch (or on the trail) today.
Weather:Winds were moderate to strong most of the day from the WNW and NW. A small
bout of flurries came through at 1000 MST but passed quickly. Winds picked
up to speeds of 46 km/h and light snow came in at 1200. Count was ended at
1230 due to wind speeds and decreasing visibility.
Raptor Observations:We had a small push of migrants during the first two hours of the day
before the first bout of flurries moved in. Two local RT were seen after
this snow cleared up, but no migrants.
Non-raptor Observations:Bird activity as a whole was low today, but three Common Ravens were seen
and a Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay was calling.
Predictions:Higher temperatures tomorrow and partly cloudy. Winds are still expected to
be strong tomorrow and from the W. PS Mike- The cones are set up at the top
of the stairs to deter mountain bikes etc. from getting close to spotting
scopes. They were provided by Jefferson County Open Space. The chair is
ours, and a long story.
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)