Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (22 Apr 2017) 17 Raptors
12 views
Skip to first unread message
rep...@hawkcount.org
Apr 22, 2017, 11:01:12 PM4/22/17
to cob...@googlegroups.com
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Very little! The trail had a couple hikers and bikers but nothing like a typical Saturday. Only two different couples came up to the landing.
Weather:
The morning started cold and calm with a low ceiling. Throughout the day the wind increased and the temperature rose. Eventually the late afternoon had an equal amount of sunshine to cloud cover.
Raptor Observations:
An early fly over by 7 Turkey Vultures that were 30-40 feet above the deck was a great way to start the day. Additionally, 6 more TVs came to the platform only to circle and then head to Matthew Winters Park and land along the rocky cliffs. After those sightings the rest seemed to be shot out of a cannon!! The morning was very active and all raptors seemed to be in a great hurry. A couple local Red tails made appearances as well as some Kestrels and the two interacted on a couple occasions.
Non-raptor Observations:
Ravens and crows played along the eastern ridge for the majority of the day. A couple Scrub Jays, Towhees, Black-capped chickadees, Magpies, White-throated Swifts, and a Rock Wren or two. The early morning had 20+ Elk along the Cabrini Shrine as well.
Predictions:
Not sure about predictions. I did not observe any active high along the western ridge but rather close to the Dino ridge's near east and west sides. Be on your toes! If they are moving like today they are moving!!!
Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 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: Apr 22, 2017 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 9 | 55 | 55 |
| Osprey | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 4 | 13 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 4 | 31 | 41 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 48 | 53 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 68 | 248 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 2 | 13 | 13 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 27 | 39 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 6 | 10 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 10 | 25 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| Total: | 17 | 307 | 563 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 13:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4 hours |
| Official Counter | Mitchell Blystone |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Very little! The trail had a couple hikers and bikers but nothing like a typical Saturday. Only two different couples came up to the landing.
Weather:
The morning started cold and calm with a low ceiling. Throughout the day the wind increased and the temperature rose. Eventually the late afternoon had an equal amount of sunshine to cloud cover.
Raptor Observations:
An early fly over by 7 Turkey Vultures that were 30-40 feet above the deck was a great way to start the day. Additionally, 6 more TVs came to the platform only to circle and then head to Matthew Winters Park and land along the rocky cliffs. After those sightings the rest seemed to be shot out of a cannon!! The morning was very active and all raptors seemed to be in a great hurry. A couple local Red tails made appearances as well as some Kestrels and the two interacted on a couple occasions.
Non-raptor Observations:
Ravens and crows played along the eastern ridge for the majority of the day. A couple Scrub Jays, Towhees, Black-capped chickadees, Magpies, White-throated Swifts, and a Rock Wren or two. The early morning had 20+ Elk along the Cabrini Shrine as well.
Predictions:
Not sure about predictions. I did not observe any active high along the western ridge but rather close to the Dino ridge's near east and west sides. Be on your toes! If they are moving like today they are moving!!!
Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff....@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 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