Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2022 |
Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Turkey Vulture | 1 | 331 | 357 |
Osprey | 1 | 40 | 42 |
Bald Eagle | 0 | 23 | 56 |
Northern Harrier | 0 | 21 | 27 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 57 | 66 |
Cooper's Hawk | 2 | 155 | 166 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 6 | 8 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 38 | 38 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 308 | 723 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 27 | 27 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 9 | 63 |
Golden Eagle | 0 | 9 | 37 |
American Kestrel | 0 | 285 | 317 |
Merlin | 0 | 12 | 16 |
Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 9 | 16 |
Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 9 |
Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 12 | 12 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 8 | 14 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Unknown Raptor | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Total: | 7 | 1360 | 2012 |
Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 13:30:00 |
Total observation time: | 5.5 hours |
Official Counter | Ben Jacques |
Observers: | Kerri Lagon, Patti Galli, Stephen Hasley |
Visitors:We had fourteen folks stop by the ridge today.
Weather:The weather started out cool and sunny with sparse cloud cover and became
sunny and warm with a light East wind. The day wrapped up early due to high
winds from the North and snow showers.
Raptor Observations:Raptor activity, both local and migratory, was sparse today with the first
red-tailed hawk spotted at 1250(MST). Migrants were few and far between
with two unidentifiably distant birds over the west ridge and a solitary
turkey vulture moving North. A brief surge of migrants before the storm
moved in gained us two cooper's hawks, one red-tail, and one osprey. One
local(flying south?) sharp-shinnned hawk, two resident golden eagles, and
one resident red-tail rounded out the day.
Non-raptor Observations:White-throated swifts, a rock wren, and violet-green swallows were present
along with the usual characters like scrub jays, towhees, and ravens.
Predictions:Tomorrow's weather looks a little warmer with light winds and less chance
of precipitation. Today's weather did not call for cold temps, moderate to
high winds, or snow showers though so bring your gloves.
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)