Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (12 Apr 2021) 37 Raptors
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Apr 12, 2021, 8:16:48 PM4/12/21
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Two dog-walkers and one couple (who spotted a raptor) visited the platform.
Weather:
Cold, cloudy and moderately windy. The sun peeked out a few times for all-too-short periods.
Raptor Observations:
All migrating (and most local) raptors came up the east side of the ridge, often at eye level or below. The eight Prairie Falcons zoomed by within a 45 minute period.
Non-raptor Observations:
A local Bald Eagle flew up the ridge, and then over to the north end of Green Mountain. Also observed were local Red Tailed Hawks, a local Cooper’s Hawk, Black-billed Magpie, local Turkey Vultures, a local American Kestrel, and three Black Capped Chickadees, one American Crow and, of course, the usual assortment of Common Ravens. A large herd of elk grazed to the north of Cabrini.
Predictions:
Rain is predicted starting at noon. Hopefully a few intrepid migrators will wing it north before the storm.
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 hawkwatch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may
be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged
Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see
resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to
migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and
Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern
Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes
Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White
Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders of any skill level are always welcome.
HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers from about 9 AM
to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.
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 small signs from the
southwest end of lot to the hawkwatch 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, head through the
gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, flat area at the crest of the ridge.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2021 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 4 | 49 | 52 |
| Osprey | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 5 | 18 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 17 | 31 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 7 | 34 | 45 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 7 | 80 | 273 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| American Kestrel | 3 | 37 | 39 |
| Merlin | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Prairie Falcon | 8 | 10 | 11 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Unknown Buteo | 1 | 7 | 16 |
| Unknown Falcon | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Total: | 37 | 271 | 548 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Karen Fernandez |
| Observers: | Janet Peters, Walt Combs |
Visitors:
Two dog-walkers and one couple (who spotted a raptor) visited the platform.
Weather:
Cold, cloudy and moderately windy. The sun peeked out a few times for all-too-short periods.
Raptor Observations:
All migrating (and most local) raptors came up the east side of the ridge, often at eye level or below. The eight Prairie Falcons zoomed by within a 45 minute period.
Non-raptor Observations:
A local Bald Eagle flew up the ridge, and then over to the north end of Green Mountain. Also observed were local Red Tailed Hawks, a local Cooper’s Hawk, Black-billed Magpie, local Turkey Vultures, a local American Kestrel, and three Black Capped Chickadees, one American Crow and, of course, the usual assortment of Common Ravens. A large herd of elk grazed to the north of Cabrini.
Predictions:
Rain is predicted starting at noon. Hopefully a few intrepid migrators will wing it north before the storm.
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 hawkwatch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may
be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged
Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see
resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to
migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and
Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern
Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes
Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White
Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders of any skill level are always welcome.
HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers from about 9 AM
to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.
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 small signs from the
southwest end of lot to the hawkwatch 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, head through the
gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, flat area at the crest of the ridge.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
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