Dinosaur RidgeColorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 06, 2016 |
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 18 | 31 | 46 |
| Osprey | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 2 | 11 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 4 | 8 | 17 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 11 | 14 | 21 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 15 | 41 | 223 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| American Kestrel | 5 | 11 | 24 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Prairie Falcon | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 15 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Total: | 61 | 123 | 403 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7 hours |
| Official Counter | Paul Slingsby |
| Observers: | Janet Shin, Karen Drozda |
Visitors:Janet Shin, Karen Drozda and Ray Brakke each spent 2 hours and were very
helpful as many hawks were passing, sometimes in small groups.
Weather:Sunny with wind 15 to 25 mph. Temperature 57 to 66 deg. F.
Raptor Observations:A great day for soaring or migrating. The male (i think) of the local RTHa
pair, from south of Dinosaur Ridge, was joined by a gang of 3 who soared
together, off and on, near the ridge for nearly 4 hours. They were 2 adult
and one immature RTHa. This trio was counted as local birds.
Non-raptor Observations:A migrating Belted Kingfisher passed going north above CH26.
Predictions:Another day of hawk travel.
Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (
jeff....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at:
http://www.birdconservancy.org/Site DescriptionDinosaur 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.