Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (27 Mar 2023) 9 Raptors
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Mar 27, 2023, 10:12:44 PM3/27/23
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
A young couple were interested in the history of the watch and I explained the history of shooting raptors changing to counting raptors at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in the 1930s.
Weather:
Mostly overcast, temperature around 0°C, rising barometer, good visibility though Mount Morrison was wreathed by clouds until the 2 towers on top could finally be seen at 9:45 AM MST. 1-3 inches of snow overnight with some ice under, covered all the rocks along the trails making it a little difficult.
Raptor Observations:
The 1st migrant was an AK male directly overhead at 9:03 AM MST. All the other raptors seen were overhead or slightly to the east. The last migrant was an AK at 12:57 PM. The 2 peregrines were both of the anatum/Continental subspecies. In the 12-1 hour 2 RT came in from the south, were met by another RT SE of the watch, all 3 proceeded to perform territorial displays with spectacular steep powered roller-coaster dives. One RT Landed in a tree on Greene Mountain while 2 of them flew North circling and gaining height and were met by another RT – probably escorting them out of its territory. 2 continued flying north. Both were Western subspecies of RT (rufous belly, breast and underwing coverts and a dark throat). Non-migrant raptors: Prairie Falcon in the 9-10 hour which came from the South and after passing the watch gained height and flew East, also seen in the last hour in powered flight south along the western ridge quite far and dropping below Mount Morrison; in the 13-14 hour a juvenile GE seen over the western ridge flying West; RT 2 both Western subspecies.
Non-raptor Observations:
Bushtit 7, likely Bohemian Waxwing flying in a tight flock of 15, Townsend's Solitaire 2, American Robin 16, Canada Goose 10, Common Raven 2, American Flicker 1.
Predictions:
The raptors that stayed put today may fly tomorrow.
Report submitted by DAVID HILL ()
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: http://www.dfobirds.org
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Site Description
Dinosaur 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)
Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 27, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Osprey | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 25 | 25 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 199 | 199 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 35 | 36 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 24 | 24 |
| American Kestrel | 5 | 31 | 31 |
| Merlin | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| 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: | 9 | 363 | 364 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Ajit Antony |
| Observers: | Liza Antony, Shannon Campbell |
Visitors:
A young couple were interested in the history of the watch and I explained the history of shooting raptors changing to counting raptors at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in the 1930s.
Weather:
Mostly overcast, temperature around 0°C, rising barometer, good visibility though Mount Morrison was wreathed by clouds until the 2 towers on top could finally be seen at 9:45 AM MST. 1-3 inches of snow overnight with some ice under, covered all the rocks along the trails making it a little difficult.
Raptor Observations:
The 1st migrant was an AK male directly overhead at 9:03 AM MST. All the other raptors seen were overhead or slightly to the east. The last migrant was an AK at 12:57 PM. The 2 peregrines were both of the anatum/Continental subspecies. In the 12-1 hour 2 RT came in from the south, were met by another RT SE of the watch, all 3 proceeded to perform territorial displays with spectacular steep powered roller-coaster dives. One RT Landed in a tree on Greene Mountain while 2 of them flew North circling and gaining height and were met by another RT – probably escorting them out of its territory. 2 continued flying north. Both were Western subspecies of RT (rufous belly, breast and underwing coverts and a dark throat). Non-migrant raptors: Prairie Falcon in the 9-10 hour which came from the South and after passing the watch gained height and flew East, also seen in the last hour in powered flight south along the western ridge quite far and dropping below Mount Morrison; in the 13-14 hour a juvenile GE seen over the western ridge flying West; RT 2 both Western subspecies.
Non-raptor Observations:
Bushtit 7, likely Bohemian Waxwing flying in a tight flock of 15, Townsend's Solitaire 2, American Robin 16, Canada Goose 10, Common Raven 2, American Flicker 1.
Predictions:
The raptors that stayed put today may fly tomorrow.
Report submitted by DAVID HILL ()
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: http://www.dfobirds.org
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Site Description
Dinosaur 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)
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