HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (12 Apr 2014) 20 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
Apr 12, 2014, 7:04:35 PM4/12/14
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
A gentleman named Colin stayed a couple of hours in the morning. He is a naturalist and guides wilderness tours in Wyoming. He mentioned a recent Osprey GPS tagging project in the Tetons that sounded similar to the RMBO project. There is some limited online information on this and other raptor studies done by Craighead Beringia South wildlife education and research center for those who might be interested. Also former Dino Ridge volunteer Jane Haddock and friend Jim helped spot for a short time.
Weather:
Warm with temperatures rising from the low to mid 60's and near windless during mid day. Mostly cloudy. Gusty wind and rain sprinkles starting at day's end.
Raptor Observations:
A few morning raptors, mostly Kestrels, were near the ridge and low, but the majority of the migration was over or beyond the west ridges, some fading in and out of the distance. Flat light and distance hampered identifications. Only a few local Red-tail Hawks. Local Turkey Vultures popped in and out of view from behind Mt. Morrison and Rocky Ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
American Robin, Western Scrub Jay, Spotted Towhee, Common Raven, American Crow, Western Meadow Lark, numerous White-throated Swift.
Predictions:
Suspicions are for limited activity or possible cancellation due to snow.
Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff....@rmbo.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.org/
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 the Rocky Mountain Bird
Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of March to the
first week of May.
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 12, 2014 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 3 | 53 | 56 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 16 | 21 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 27 | 42 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3 | 66 | 196 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| American Kestrel | 5 | 47 | 61 |
| Merlin | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 4 | 13 | 15 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 8 | 13 |
| Unknown Falcon | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 20 | 244 | 476 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: | Bill Wuerthele, David Gulbenkian, Mitchell Blystone |
Visitors:
A gentleman named Colin stayed a couple of hours in the morning. He is a naturalist and guides wilderness tours in Wyoming. He mentioned a recent Osprey GPS tagging project in the Tetons that sounded similar to the RMBO project. There is some limited online information on this and other raptor studies done by Craighead Beringia South wildlife education and research center for those who might be interested. Also former Dino Ridge volunteer Jane Haddock and friend Jim helped spot for a short time.
Weather:
Warm with temperatures rising from the low to mid 60's and near windless during mid day. Mostly cloudy. Gusty wind and rain sprinkles starting at day's end.
Raptor Observations:
A few morning raptors, mostly Kestrels, were near the ridge and low, but the majority of the migration was over or beyond the west ridges, some fading in and out of the distance. Flat light and distance hampered identifications. Only a few local Red-tail Hawks. Local Turkey Vultures popped in and out of view from behind Mt. Morrison and Rocky Ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
American Robin, Western Scrub Jay, Spotted Towhee, Common Raven, American Crow, Western Meadow Lark, numerous White-throated Swift.
Predictions:
Suspicions are for limited activity or possible cancellation due to snow.
Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff....@rmbo.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.org/
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 the Rocky Mountain Bird
Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of March to the
first week of May.
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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