Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (07 May 2023) 34 Raptors
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May 8, 2023, 2:22:55 AM5/8/23
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Thank you to everyone who came out today for the count! It was Janet Peters last day at the ridge and she was kind enough to bring empanadas for the crew. Janet is the mastermind behind much of inner workings of our site and we would not be able to operate the way we do without her. We saw 38 visitors at the ridge today.
Weather:
We had a pleasant day with both sun and great cloud cover for spotting birds. Darker clouds with precipitation rolled in late afternoon and brought light drizzle to the rain. Winds were from the NE.
Raptor Observations:
We had a nice flight in the morning with our second immature BW of the season, a low Osprey and continuing RT. Immature RT continue to move in good numbers as well. Migration slowed in the afternoon until a kettle of 5 TV moved through as well as more RT. The non-migrant highlight of the day is truly a special one, in the afternoon we witnessed the local RT pair engage in the “death spiral†typically exhibited by courting BE. Local TV activity was high today with up to 7 at a time seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor highlights include 8 male AMRO, DCCO, and WTSW that could have run into us had we moved when they flew by. Other regulars uncurling BGGN and BTHU were also seen.
Predictions:
It will be a warm spring day on the ridge with predominantly E winds. Tomorrow marks our first day counting past our typical season.
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 07, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 8 | 62 | 420 |
| Osprey | 1 | 8 | 60 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 4 | 55 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 31 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 16 | 93 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 6 | 43 | 267 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 1 | 43 | 168 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 10 | 39 | 480 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 3 | 22 | 57 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 1 | 11 | 65 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 2 | 39 |
| American Kestrel | 2 | 18 | 376 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 26 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 20 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 4 | 15 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Total: | 34 | 282 | 2197 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Emma Riley |
| Observers: | Carol Cwiklinski, Aarohi Barman, Carol Cwiklinski, Kathy Barnum, Matthew Klimock, Steve Small, Susan Blansett |
Visitors:
Thank you to everyone who came out today for the count! It was Janet Peters last day at the ridge and she was kind enough to bring empanadas for the crew. Janet is the mastermind behind much of inner workings of our site and we would not be able to operate the way we do without her. We saw 38 visitors at the ridge today.
Weather:
We had a pleasant day with both sun and great cloud cover for spotting birds. Darker clouds with precipitation rolled in late afternoon and brought light drizzle to the rain. Winds were from the NE.
Raptor Observations:
We had a nice flight in the morning with our second immature BW of the season, a low Osprey and continuing RT. Immature RT continue to move in good numbers as well. Migration slowed in the afternoon until a kettle of 5 TV moved through as well as more RT. The non-migrant highlight of the day is truly a special one, in the afternoon we witnessed the local RT pair engage in the “death spiral†typically exhibited by courting BE. Local TV activity was high today with up to 7 at a time seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor highlights include 8 male AMRO, DCCO, and WTSW that could have run into us had we moved when they flew by. Other regulars uncurling BGGN and BTHU were also seen.
Predictions:
It will be a warm spring day on the ridge with predominantly E winds. Tomorrow marks our first day counting past our typical season.
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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