Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 30, 2022 |
Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Turkey Vulture | 12 | 370 | 396 |
Osprey | 0 | 43 | 45 |
Bald Eagle | 0 | 25 | 58 |
Northern Harrier | 0 | 24 | 30 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 64 | 73 |
Cooper's Hawk | 2 | 171 | 182 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 7 | 9 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 1 | 45 | 45 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 5 | 322 | 737 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 34 | 34 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 9 | 63 |
Golden Eagle | 1 | 10 | 38 |
American Kestrel | 0 | 294 | 326 |
Merlin | 0 | 13 | 17 |
Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 10 | 17 |
Prairie Falcon | 0 | 3 | 10 |
Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 13 | 13 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 9 | 15 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 5 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 8 |
Total: | 24 | 1475 | 2127 |
Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
Total observation time: | 7.5 hours |
Official Counter | Emma Riley |
Observers: | Courtney Rella, Keith Bellingham , Patty Bellingham |
Visitors:Courtney Rella, Patty Bellingham, and Keith Bellingham observed in the
afternoon. The trail was relatively empty for a Saturday today, with 20
visitors at the Hawk Watch throughout the day.
Weather:The skies stayed clear blue all day with light winds that varied in
direction throughout the day. Temperatures reached 17 C. No snakes were
seen!
Raptor Observations:There were a few overhead raptors first thing in the morning, but activity
slowed down greatly by 1000 MST. Birds were few and far between all day,
with a small kettle of TV (8) over Mt Morrison to finish off the day. Local
RT activity was notably low today, but we did have a local BE, a few TV,
and a CH.
Non-raptor Observations:FOY Yellow Warbler was seen today flying N along the ridge. Another Rock
Wren was heard on the eastern slope of the hogback all morning. Many of the
other usual visitors were seen today, with Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay's getting
very active in the afternoon.
Predictions:Partly cloudy to cloudy tomorrow with moderate speed winds from the NE
predicted.
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)