Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 26, 2022 |
Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Turkey Vulture | 5 | 336 | 362 |
Osprey | 2 | 42 | 44 |
Bald Eagle | 0 | 23 | 56 |
Northern Harrier | 2 | 23 | 29 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 59 | 68 |
Cooper's Hawk | 3 | 158 | 169 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 6 | 8 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 38 | 38 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 310 | 725 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Swainson's Hawk | 3 | 30 | 30 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 9 | 63 |
Golden Eagle | 0 | 9 | 37 |
American Kestrel | 4 | 289 | 321 |
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 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
Total: | 23 | 1383 | 2035 |
Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
Total observation time: | 8.5 hours |
Official Counter | Carol Cwiklinski |
Observers: | Janet Peters, Marvin Gearhart, Shelley Conger |
Visitors:We had a total of 17 visitors today. Shelly Conger and Myron Gearhard
helped us spot and identify raptors today; their help was greatly
appreciated. Myron wanted to see a sharp-shinned hawk today but better
luck next time.
Weather:The weather was beautiful today, with comfortable temperatures and nice SE
winds most of the day. Late afternoon it became calm, then switched to NW
winds. Cloud cover was excellent. It seemed like a perfect raptor migration
day.
Raptor Observations:Raptor migration was slow today. We had a nice variety but the numbers we
counted were lower than expected. Local red-tailed hawks and golden eagles
were active all day. The local birds helped us realize where some migrants
were flying, high in the clouds almost out of sight. Perhaps we missed some
high birds, but the overall feeling of the day was that birds were not
using the ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:Stellers Jay was a favorite today. A Say’s phoebe on the snag greeted me
in the early morning.
Predictions:There will be happy people on the hawk watch, the sun will rise and set.
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)