Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 24, 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 | 0 | 0 |
Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
American Kestrel | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total: | 7 | 11 | 11 |
Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 12:30:00 |
Total observation time: | 5 hours |
Official Counter | Ajit Antony |
Observers: | |
Visitors:A few hikers coming north along the Hogback Trail missed the turn going
down and seem puzzled when they hit a dead end at the Hawk Watch. I told
them where the trail went and were reassured when I told them there were
others who made the same mistake.
Weather:The forecast for Morrison CO called for NW winds changing to the first hour
but at the watch the winds came from the East. By 8:15 a.m. EST there were
small puffy thermals forming far to the West which became tall cumulus
clouds which seem to come in the direction of the watch as well as slightly
Southward -- the winds seemingly from the NW. I wondered if the wind from
the East that I was experiencing was a ridge lift effect.
Raptor Observations:The first migrant was an adult male AK at 8:32 a.m. EST which flew just
over the watch.
The first 2 local TV were seen over Mount Morrison at 9:05 a.m. EDT and a
minute later 2 low just north of the watch.
RT 1.
In the fourth hour an RT over the ridge to the NW was chased for about 5
minutes by a CH, neither migrating.
I was observing mainly towards the NW and W as the cedars north of the
watch prevented a direct view North, occasionally walking over to observe
from east of the cedars to observe South Table Mountain and North Table
Mountain and Green Mountain where I did not see any raptors; nor do I
expect to see too many as there seems to be no mechanism for creating
thermals on that side, while to the West there is a continuous ridge lift
from Wyoming (upto which there is a continuous line of roughly north-south
mountains beginning in Alaska) along the Colorado Rockies.
Non-raptor Observations:Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay 5, Black-capped Chickadee 3, American Crow 1, House
Finch 2, House Wren (heard).
A paraglider with a red and white parachute to the north. As I was about to
leave another one which was blue and yellow, which was the one I had seen
two days ago which flew past the watch and soared over Mount Morrison.
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 hawk watch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Hawk watchers may
see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent site to see rare
dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Ferruginous
hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Other raptors we see include Golden
Eagles, Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie
Falcons, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey
Vultures. Northern Goshawk is rare but also counted each season. Non-raptor
species include Rock Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane,
White-throated Swift, American White Pelican, and Dusky Grouse. Birders of any
skill level are always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by a
Hawk Counter and volunteers from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM from March 1st to May 14th,
weather permitting.
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)