Dinosaur Ridge (03 May 2016) 22 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
May 3, 2016, 8:34:33 PM5/3/16
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Jim and Barb Banks and Erin and Dave Bell joined us for several hours in the morning and were a great help in spotting migrating raptors. They are all members of the Golden Concert Choir, and they entertained us by practicing a piece they will perform as a quartet this Saturday night in concert. It was lovely.
Weather:
It was a very sunny, blue-sky day with minimal (< 5%) cloud cover restricted to the horizons. Winds were from the east and northeast at a steady 4 - 5 bft. Temperatures ranged from 54 - 60 F.
Raptor Observations:
Migrating Raptors: Almost all of the migrants passed close to or just over the site within the first hour of the watch. Just as we reached the site, eleven Turkey Vultures sailed by and continued north, disappearing toward Table Mesa. Three American Kestrels came by in quick succession low, and just off the west edge of the site. The Accipiters passed just east of the Ridge. After a somewhat busy morning, the afternoon was very slow, with just one migrant recorded, an immature Red-tailed Hawk, passing quite high over the site at the very end of the watch. Non-migrating Raptors: Local Red-tailed Hawks, a local American Kestrel and a local adult Cooper's Hawk all made brief appearances. Local Turkey Vultures sailed up and down the Ridge and to the west, buffeted by the wind.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-Raptor Observations: The following species were seen or heard: American Robin, Northern Flicker, Black-billed Magpie, Spotted Towhee, Western Meadowlark, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, White-throated Swift, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Mountain Chickadee, Violet-green Swallow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Yellow-rumped Warbler (a rather continuous stream of Yellow-rumped Warblers passed by the site, in small groups, throughout the watch - not sure of the total number, but lots).
Predictions:
Based on the last two days, morning seems to be an active time. With a warm, clear, calm day predicted, later migrants may pass quite high.
Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 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 03, 2016 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 11 | 12 | 101 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 14 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 9 | 53 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2 | 4 | 53 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 4 | 254 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| American Kestrel | 3 | 3 | 41 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 1 | 26 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Unknown Falcon | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Total: | 22 | 39 | 629 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Bill Wuerthele |
| Observers: | Roger Rouch |
Visitors:
Jim and Barb Banks and Erin and Dave Bell joined us for several hours in the morning and were a great help in spotting migrating raptors. They are all members of the Golden Concert Choir, and they entertained us by practicing a piece they will perform as a quartet this Saturday night in concert. It was lovely.
Weather:
It was a very sunny, blue-sky day with minimal (< 5%) cloud cover restricted to the horizons. Winds were from the east and northeast at a steady 4 - 5 bft. Temperatures ranged from 54 - 60 F.
Raptor Observations:
Migrating Raptors: Almost all of the migrants passed close to or just over the site within the first hour of the watch. Just as we reached the site, eleven Turkey Vultures sailed by and continued north, disappearing toward Table Mesa. Three American Kestrels came by in quick succession low, and just off the west edge of the site. The Accipiters passed just east of the Ridge. After a somewhat busy morning, the afternoon was very slow, with just one migrant recorded, an immature Red-tailed Hawk, passing quite high over the site at the very end of the watch. Non-migrating Raptors: Local Red-tailed Hawks, a local American Kestrel and a local adult Cooper's Hawk all made brief appearances. Local Turkey Vultures sailed up and down the Ridge and to the west, buffeted by the wind.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-Raptor Observations: The following species were seen or heard: American Robin, Northern Flicker, Black-billed Magpie, Spotted Towhee, Western Meadowlark, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, White-throated Swift, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Mountain Chickadee, Violet-green Swallow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Yellow-rumped Warbler (a rather continuous stream of Yellow-rumped Warblers passed by the site, in small groups, throughout the watch - not sure of the total number, but lots).
Predictions:
Based on the last two days, morning seems to be an active time. With a warm, clear, calm day predicted, later migrants may pass quite high.
Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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 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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