Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 26, 2023 |
Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Turkey Vulture | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Osprey | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Bald Eagle | 1 | 25 | 25 |
Northern Harrier | 1 | 8 | 8 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 7 | 7 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 19 | 197 | 197 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 3 | 35 | 36 |
Golden Eagle | 0 | 24 | 24 |
American Kestrel | 12 | 26 | 26 |
Merlin | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Prairie Falcon | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Raptor | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Total: | 40 | 354 | 355 |
Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
Total observation time: | 8 hours |
Official Counter | Emma Riley |
Observers: | Aarohi Barman, Carol Cwiklinski, Steve Small |
Visitors:Big thanks to Carol Cwiklinski, Steve Small, and Matthew Klimock for
helping Aarohi and I count the busiest day of the season so far. 42
visitors stopped at the ridge today including two families that spent a
while at the ridge looking for birds with us and asking questions. We had
more people that spent a good amount with us on the ridge than we normally
do, it was great to share the migration with others!
Weather:Today started out with thin clouds, sun, and variable winds. Winds varied
in the morning around SW before settling into a NE direction. Cloud cover
was present all day but got heavier into the afternoon, until we were able
to see scattered precipitation along the western ridge. As we were hiking
down the snow started to fall on our site. Temperatures were low all day,
dropping with the nearby precipitation.
Raptor Observations:We had our biggest day of the season so far today with 40 birds total
counted including our first (and second) OS of the season. Other highlights
include 11 AK, 8 of which came in the 1400 MST hour. An eye-level PG came
through the ridge putting on a show for us and many visitors. We also saw 2
FH today, bringing our total count to 35 on the season. Non-migrant raptor
activity was slow but steady today with the local RT pair seen perched on
the power poles below us on the east side. At one point the female could be
seen with a prey item. We also saw a local GE, BE, and a PG that was seen
moving E.
Non-raptor Observations:We saw 120+ BOWA west of the count site today early in the day, which is
always a treat. We also counted around 100 SACR today in multiple groups,
all moving high and presumably silent, although we had high noise from the
dirt bike race today. We also saw DEJU (4), TOSO (4), AMRO (8), HOFI (5),
ROPI (3), BBMA (2), CORA (14), AMCR (8), and CANG (2).
Predictions:Tomorrow is expected to be another cold day, hopefully our last for a few
days. Winds are predicted to be from the general N direction with the
potential for strong gusts in the afternoon. E
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
and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons,
Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey
Vultures. Northern Goshawk is uncommon 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 hawk watch signs from the
southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch 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, and walk to
the flat area at the crest of the ridge. (Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain:
259 feet)