Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (04 May 2023) 9 Raptors
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May 4, 2023, 9:14:39 PM5/4/23
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Thank you Janet Peters, Gary Rossmiller, and Marianne & Dave Erickson for your help with the count today. We saw 13 visitors at the count site today including Roger and Michelle, a couple that we have seen a few times now in search of BW. Jefferson County rangers Sabrina and Sam were out today and stopped to discuss the hawkwatch.
Weather:
Winds and light rain were immediate this morning. The rain subdued for a few hours but by 1100 MST the winds and rain had come back. We chose to let this rain pass from the cars, and returned to the site at 1200 MST. Blue skies and strong sun were revealed until a large system from the west brought lightning behind Mt. Morrison. We ended the count at 1400 MST and by 1415 heavy rain had consumed the site.
Raptor Observations:
Migration was very slow today with most of the migrants flying low, except two birds in the afternoon. Local RT and TV were active today utilizing the winds.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor highlights today include a WEKI seen flying along the ridge multiple times today, and two BGGN we heard singing all morning. SPTO were also active today as well as the WTSW. One DCCO was seen crossing the ridge.
Predictions:
Tomorrow will be warm and mostly sunny. High winds in the afternoon are possible, and the trail may be muddy after the heavy rain today.
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]
Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - [Project Details]
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: May 04, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 4 | 43 | 401 |
| Osprey | 0 | 6 | 58 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 4 | 55 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 31 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 9 | 86 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3 | 28 | 252 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 30 | 155 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 19 | 460 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 14 | 49 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 5 | 59 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 2 | 39 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 8 | 366 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 26 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 20 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Total: | 9 | 179 | 2094 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Emma Riley |
| Observers: | Dave Erickson, Gary Rossmiller, Janet Peters, Marianne Erickson |
Visitors:
Thank you Janet Peters, Gary Rossmiller, and Marianne & Dave Erickson for your help with the count today. We saw 13 visitors at the count site today including Roger and Michelle, a couple that we have seen a few times now in search of BW. Jefferson County rangers Sabrina and Sam were out today and stopped to discuss the hawkwatch.
Weather:
Winds and light rain were immediate this morning. The rain subdued for a few hours but by 1100 MST the winds and rain had come back. We chose to let this rain pass from the cars, and returned to the site at 1200 MST. Blue skies and strong sun were revealed until a large system from the west brought lightning behind Mt. Morrison. We ended the count at 1400 MST and by 1415 heavy rain had consumed the site.
Raptor Observations:
Migration was very slow today with most of the migrants flying low, except two birds in the afternoon. Local RT and TV were active today utilizing the winds.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor highlights today include a WEKI seen flying along the ridge multiple times today, and two BGGN we heard singing all morning. SPTO were also active today as well as the WTSW. One DCCO was seen crossing the ridge.
Predictions:
Tomorrow will be warm and mostly sunny. High winds in the afternoon are possible, and the trail may be muddy after the heavy rain today.
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]
Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - [Project Details]
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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