Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (04 May 2019) 6 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
May 4, 2019, 5:40:32 PM5/4/19
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Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Few visitors to the high top but the trail was very busy. One family stopped to take a snack break and enjoy the view and were the only ones to say hello.
Weather:
Nice, calm morning with ample sun. Very little clouds and wind early on which slowly change through the morning to increased cover and moderate gusts.
Raptor Observations:
Early raptor activity from the locals and some of the migrants. Local Red Tailed Hawk were seen throughout the morning and a male Kestrel was seen along the east ridge multiple times. A lone Cooper's Hawk and a Turkey Vulture were observed heading south very close to the Dinosaur Ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
Roughly 20 Pelicans were seen in perfect formation flying to the south of the platform and they slowly disappeaered behind Green Mountain. Rock Wren(s) and Spotted Towhee were working hard along the slopes near the top. The two big surprises of day were the Western Tanager and Ruby Crowned Kinglet which both stopped by the dead pine to the south. Magpies, Crows, Ravens, Meadowlarks, and what looked to be a Brown Creeper where also seen.
Predictions:
If it's a repeat of today's behavior then early is better. Enjoy the weather!
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: May 04, 2019 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 3 | 14 | 119 |
| Osprey | 0 | 2 | 27 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 4 | 59 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 3 | 97 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 7 | 323 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 3 | 59 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Total: | 6 | 35 | 805 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 12:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 3 hours |
| Official Counter | Mitchell Blystone |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Few visitors to the high top but the trail was very busy. One family stopped to take a snack break and enjoy the view and were the only ones to say hello.
Weather:
Nice, calm morning with ample sun. Very little clouds and wind early on which slowly change through the morning to increased cover and moderate gusts.
Raptor Observations:
Early raptor activity from the locals and some of the migrants. Local Red Tailed Hawk were seen throughout the morning and a male Kestrel was seen along the east ridge multiple times. A lone Cooper's Hawk and a Turkey Vulture were observed heading south very close to the Dinosaur Ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
Roughly 20 Pelicans were seen in perfect formation flying to the south of the platform and they slowly disappeaered behind Green Mountain. Rock Wren(s) and Spotted Towhee were working hard along the slopes near the top. The two big surprises of day were the Western Tanager and Ruby Crowned Kinglet which both stopped by the dead pine to the south. Magpies, Crows, Ravens, Meadowlarks, and what looked to be a Brown Creeper where also seen.
Predictions:
If it's a repeat of today's behavior then early is better. Enjoy the weather!
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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