Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 26, 2023 |
Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Turkey Vulture | 12 | 275 | 290 |
Osprey | 2 | 35 | 37 |
Bald Eagle | 0 | 19 | 50 |
Northern Harrier | 1 | 12 | 23 |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 4 | 55 | 63 |
Cooper's Hawk | 9 | 170 | 188 |
Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 8 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broad-winged Hawk | 3 | 71 | 71 |
Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 114 | 401 |
Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Swainson's Hawk | 4 | 16 | 16 |
Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 7 | 47 |
Golden Eagle | 2 | 9 | 35 |
American Kestrel | 7 | 242 | 302 |
Merlin | 0 | 9 | 19 |
Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 10 | 15 |
Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 5 | 8 |
Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Total: | 48 | 1052 | 1583 |
Observation start time: | 11:00:00 |
Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
Total observation time: | 5.5 hours |
Official Counter | Emma Riley |
Observers: | |
Visitors:Thank you to Mike & Karen Fernandez for waiting out the morning with me! I
saw 3 visitors at the count site today, not surprising with the condition
of the trail.
Weather:Rain and heavy cloud cover delayed the count this morning but by 1100 MST
it was lifting and I was able to start counting. Rain clouds continued to
linger in the area for a few hours but eventually clear skies were
revealed. Winds were primarily from the NE today and were very mild. The
trail was horrifically muddy.
Raptor Observations:Birds began to fly almost immediately as the clouds cleared coming directly
along the ridge. Quickly the flight shifted to the western ridge with the
exception of a few. Highlights include a gorgeous SW that came right
overhead as I started the count, multiple close BW, and a low PG that I
caught with enough time to get a great look. Non-migrants seen today
include TV (4), 4 RT including one dark-morph, GE (1), BE (1), and CH (1).
Non-raptor Observations:8 AMWP came by the ridge today as well as one DCCO. Many of the other
regulars were seen/heard today include WTSW, VGSW, SPTO, ROWR, WEME, BBMA,
SCJA, and more.
Predictions:More rain may come through the area tomorrow night with strong winds
accompanying but we will hopefully get a full day in before that happens.
The trail will likely be muddy!
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]
Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - [
Project Details]
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)