Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (20 Apr 2018) 11 Raptors
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Apr 20, 2018, 4:50:09 PM4/20/18
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Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Jane Haddock and Frank Coons arrived about 9:30 MDT and despite immanent rain, said they wanted to go on up to the station. There were a remarkable number of migrators that we were able to count before rain/snow drove us off. Jane and Frank were a great help. There were several hikers and bikers on the trail, one biker, from Minnisota, stopped to ask about a bald eagle nesting in a tree that toppled over where he lives. He added that they've had a very cold winter and that ice melt is not expected for quite some time.
Weather:
Weather report had fluxuating start times for rain. I went an hour early hoping to get more time in, but then rain was supposed to start at 9:30 MDT so didn't think I had time to hike up the mnt. but conducted count from parking lot. Turns out it rain didn't begin until 9:45. The sky quickly became 100% overcast, which made seeing identifying marks on birds very difficult--they appeared all dark underneath. Humidity high--46%, cold wind but only about 10 mph until rain/snow began.
Raptor Observations:
Locals observed were 3 Red Tail Hawks--two appearing to be in courtship; 4 Turkey Vultures; and one buteo in severe molt--missing some primaries and several tail feathers--big gap in tail. Overcast skies made this bird appear completely dark and we were unable to identify species. The earlier migrators I saw flew low over Ridge, north to the end and then would circle to gain altitude before heading out of sight. Migrators over West Ridge were very high, except for Ferruginous Hawk that was low enough to see light underbelly and appreciate its size.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen or heard: 2 Western Meadowlark; 4 House Finch; 1 Black-billed Magpie; 2 Common Crow; 2 Raven--one carrying something large and round in its beak; 1 American Robin.
Predictions:
Unfortunately weather shows rain and snow showers for tomorrow morning.
Report submitted by Matthew Smith (matt....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 are always welcome.
The hawkwatch is generally staffed by volunteers from Bird Conservancy of the
Rockies 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 south
side of lot to 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.
Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 20, 2018 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 2 | 68 | 70 |
| Osprey | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 11 | 15 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 24 | 32 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 49 | 217 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 13 | 27 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| Unknown Buteo | 4 | 14 | 19 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 6 | 7 |
| Total: | 11 | 215 | 439 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 09:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 1.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Debbie James |
| Observers: | Frank Coons, Jane Haddock |
Visitors:
Jane Haddock and Frank Coons arrived about 9:30 MDT and despite immanent rain, said they wanted to go on up to the station. There were a remarkable number of migrators that we were able to count before rain/snow drove us off. Jane and Frank were a great help. There were several hikers and bikers on the trail, one biker, from Minnisota, stopped to ask about a bald eagle nesting in a tree that toppled over where he lives. He added that they've had a very cold winter and that ice melt is not expected for quite some time.
Weather:
Weather report had fluxuating start times for rain. I went an hour early hoping to get more time in, but then rain was supposed to start at 9:30 MDT so didn't think I had time to hike up the mnt. but conducted count from parking lot. Turns out it rain didn't begin until 9:45. The sky quickly became 100% overcast, which made seeing identifying marks on birds very difficult--they appeared all dark underneath. Humidity high--46%, cold wind but only about 10 mph until rain/snow began.
Raptor Observations:
Locals observed were 3 Red Tail Hawks--two appearing to be in courtship; 4 Turkey Vultures; and one buteo in severe molt--missing some primaries and several tail feathers--big gap in tail. Overcast skies made this bird appear completely dark and we were unable to identify species. The earlier migrators I saw flew low over Ridge, north to the end and then would circle to gain altitude before heading out of sight. Migrators over West Ridge were very high, except for Ferruginous Hawk that was low enough to see light underbelly and appreciate its size.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen or heard: 2 Western Meadowlark; 4 House Finch; 1 Black-billed Magpie; 2 Common Crow; 2 Raven--one carrying something large and round in its beak; 1 American Robin.
Predictions:
Unfortunately weather shows rain and snow showers for tomorrow morning.
Report submitted by Matthew Smith (matt....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 are always welcome.
The hawkwatch is generally staffed by volunteers from Bird Conservancy of the
Rockies 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 south
side of lot to 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.
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