Dinosaur Ridge (04 May 2016) 2 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
May 4, 2016, 5:48:22 PM5/4/16
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Just a few hikers passing thru the site. Fairly light use of the trail today, evenly divided between hikers, runners, and cyclists.
Weather:
Almost cloudless, a few clouds developed to the west later in the day. Slight haze made following birds difficult. Breeze out of the east moving to the southeast in the afternoon. Calm at times, BF 2-3, with gusts up to BF 5. Temps from 14.3 C to 21.1 C, dropping barometer from 30.18 down to 30.12. A very clear, nice, and warm spring day.
Raptor Observations:
A Cooper's went by before 8 am MST just to the east, made a couple of soaring circles and took off in a long glide to the north. An American Kestrel was flapping north past the power lines shortly after that. A couple of local RT's to the west, and a very nice view of a RT in a fast glide on the east side and very low heading south. 3 local TV's worked the ridge repeatedly mid-morning, one of them roosting on the power pole.
Non-raptor Observations:
Spotted Towhee and Western Scrub Jay were very near the site most of the day. Western Bluebird on the east side. Meadowlarks on both sides of the ridge. Magpies, Crows, Ravens. A couple of dozen White Throated Swifts went over mid-morning. 7 deer near the trail on the way up, 3 below to the east, 4 elk on Green Mtn. The lizards are out. A cottontail came over to the juniper. Otherwise, a very quiet day.
Predictions:
Seems like the raptors must be content with their current locations and won't be migrating in significant numbers.
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 04, 2016 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 12 | 101 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 14 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 9 | 53 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 5 | 54 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 0 | 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 | 1 | 4 | 42 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 1 | 26 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Total: | 2 | 41 | 631 |
| Observation start time: | 07:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:15:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Gary Rossmiller |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Just a few hikers passing thru the site. Fairly light use of the trail today, evenly divided between hikers, runners, and cyclists.
Weather:
Almost cloudless, a few clouds developed to the west later in the day. Slight haze made following birds difficult. Breeze out of the east moving to the southeast in the afternoon. Calm at times, BF 2-3, with gusts up to BF 5. Temps from 14.3 C to 21.1 C, dropping barometer from 30.18 down to 30.12. A very clear, nice, and warm spring day.
Raptor Observations:
A Cooper's went by before 8 am MST just to the east, made a couple of soaring circles and took off in a long glide to the north. An American Kestrel was flapping north past the power lines shortly after that. A couple of local RT's to the west, and a very nice view of a RT in a fast glide on the east side and very low heading south. 3 local TV's worked the ridge repeatedly mid-morning, one of them roosting on the power pole.
Non-raptor Observations:
Spotted Towhee and Western Scrub Jay were very near the site most of the day. Western Bluebird on the east side. Meadowlarks on both sides of the ridge. Magpies, Crows, Ravens. A couple of dozen White Throated Swifts went over mid-morning. 7 deer near the trail on the way up, 3 below to the east, 4 elk on Green Mtn. The lizards are out. A cottontail came over to the juniper. Otherwise, a very quiet day.
Predictions:
Seems like the raptors must be content with their current locations and won't be migrating in significant numbers.
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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