Dinosaur Ridge (09 Mar 2017) 5 Raptors
30 views
Skip to first unread message
rep...@hawkcount.org
Mar 9, 2017, 6:35:54 PM3/9/17
to cob...@googlegroups.com
Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Little traffic on the trails though Pat Connor, JeffCo Open Space and former Hawk Watch volunteer stopped by to check in and watch the skies for a bit.
Weather:
The morning began with a slight breeze from the west and near calm sunny conditions. Eventually the wind came from the east and during the noon hour it became very strong and swirling at the site. The sun remained out and temps reached 66F.
Raptor Observations:
The local Red tails were very active all day and even shared an intimate moment on the power lines to the east. I did observe an unidentified falcon early in the morning flying near some of the local Red tails but it's path went straight east until it disappeared on the south side of Green Mountain. The migrating birds observed came from the Mtn Morrison/Two Pines area and for the most part were very high up.
Non-raptor Observations:
Blue birds!! Several groups flew right past or right through the platform. The Scrub Jays were very vocal and busy and some were carrying sticks when they flew over. Townsend's Solitaires, Magpies, and Chickadees (Black-capped?) were hanging out as well.
Predictions:
No thoughts on predictions for tomorrow but I would say that between today and my last day up it seems that when you see one moving through there will be a couple accompanying bringing up the rear.
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: Mar 09, 2017 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4 | 32 | 32 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Falcon | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 5 | 44 | 44 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4 hours |
| Official Counter | Mitchell Blystone |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Little traffic on the trails though Pat Connor, JeffCo Open Space and former Hawk Watch volunteer stopped by to check in and watch the skies for a bit.
Weather:
The morning began with a slight breeze from the west and near calm sunny conditions. Eventually the wind came from the east and during the noon hour it became very strong and swirling at the site. The sun remained out and temps reached 66F.
Raptor Observations:
The local Red tails were very active all day and even shared an intimate moment on the power lines to the east. I did observe an unidentified falcon early in the morning flying near some of the local Red tails but it's path went straight east until it disappeared on the south side of Green Mountain. The migrating birds observed came from the Mtn Morrison/Two Pines area and for the most part were very high up.
Non-raptor Observations:
Blue birds!! Several groups flew right past or right through the platform. The Scrub Jays were very vocal and busy and some were carrying sticks when they flew over. Townsend's Solitaires, Magpies, and Chickadees (Black-capped?) were hanging out as well.
Predictions:
No thoughts on predictions for tomorrow but I would say that between today and my last day up it seems that when you see one moving through there will be a couple accompanying bringing up the rear.
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.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages