Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (03 Apr 2021) 10 Raptors
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Apr 3, 2021, 6:52:30 PM4/3/21
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
We set up north of the platform, and so had very few visitors.
Weather:
Blasting HOT!! It was 76 degrees F when we left the Ridge. Very low humidity, and the entire Denver basin was enveloped in a yellow haze (pollution?), until mid afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Two local Red Tail Hawks seen courting the first hour. Pitiful number of migrants, especially for April. All traveled directly over the Ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
Seen or heard: Flicker 1; Crow 2; Raven 1; Robin 1; Big kettle of something the size of crows over the West Ridge; Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 3; Black-capped Chickadee 3; White-breasted Nuthatch 1; 6 Canada Geese flying in tandem north; House Finch 6; Solitaire 3; Western Bluebird 1; Magpie 1.
Predictions:
Hopefully better than today as far as migrating Raptors are concerned.
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: Apr 03, 2021 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 4 | 15 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 5 | 14 | 207 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total: | 10 | 28 | 305 |
| Observation start time: | 10:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Debbie James |
| Observers: | Jim Esten, Susan Blansett |
Visitors:
We set up north of the platform, and so had very few visitors.
Weather:
Blasting HOT!! It was 76 degrees F when we left the Ridge. Very low humidity, and the entire Denver basin was enveloped in a yellow haze (pollution?), until mid afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Two local Red Tail Hawks seen courting the first hour. Pitiful number of migrants, especially for April. All traveled directly over the Ridge.
Non-raptor Observations:
Seen or heard: Flicker 1; Crow 2; Raven 1; Robin 1; Big kettle of something the size of crows over the West Ridge; Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 3; Black-capped Chickadee 3; White-breasted Nuthatch 1; 6 Canada Geese flying in tandem north; House Finch 6; Solitaire 3; Western Bluebird 1; Magpie 1.
Predictions:
Hopefully better than today as far as migrating Raptors are concerned.
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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