Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (20 Mar 2021) 37 Raptors
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Mar 20, 2021, 6:45:55 PM3/20/21
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Sue had two visitors up top and she spoke to them about the rough-legged hawk. A few others stopped by to chat about birds.
Weather:
It was a pleasant day on the ridge. Temperatures were comfortable. Cloud cover was 30-70% and very helpful for spotting birds. Winds were generally light SSW until around 1200 when stronger gusts developed.
Raptor Observations:
Raptors flew mostly over Dino ridge and high, but easily seen against the clouds. We had a few birds low on the east and over the western ridge. We had a fun day today. The rough-legged hawk was close and over observation so we all got a fantastic look. The northern goshawk was an adult and gave us excellent looks. The two Merlin were quick to move through but also easy to see. The snow helped light the birds below, helping us see nice detail.
Non-raptor Observations:
Matthew Winters park was closed today, and there were hundreds of people on the dinosaur trail. The trail was a sloppy mess, especially the lower road. There were patches of muddy areas, and also deep snow ruts from previous hikers. In the morning it was less wet and muddy, but the snow makes for tricky hiking.
Predictions:
Winter storm begins
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: Mar 20, 2021 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Northern Goshawk | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 25 | 81 | 81 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total: | 37 | 118 | 118 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Carol Cwiklinski |
| Observers: | Steve Small, Susan Blansett |
Visitors:
Sue had two visitors up top and she spoke to them about the rough-legged hawk. A few others stopped by to chat about birds.
Weather:
It was a pleasant day on the ridge. Temperatures were comfortable. Cloud cover was 30-70% and very helpful for spotting birds. Winds were generally light SSW until around 1200 when stronger gusts developed.
Raptor Observations:
Raptors flew mostly over Dino ridge and high, but easily seen against the clouds. We had a few birds low on the east and over the western ridge. We had a fun day today. The rough-legged hawk was close and over observation so we all got a fantastic look. The northern goshawk was an adult and gave us excellent looks. The two Merlin were quick to move through but also easy to see. The snow helped light the birds below, helping us see nice detail.
Non-raptor Observations:
Matthew Winters park was closed today, and there were hundreds of people on the dinosaur trail. The trail was a sloppy mess, especially the lower road. There were patches of muddy areas, and also deep snow ruts from previous hikers. In the morning it was less wet and muddy, but the snow makes for tricky hiking.
Predictions:
Winter storm begins
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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