HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (23 Apr 2014) 5 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
Apr 23, 2014, 6:04:56 PM4/23/14
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
None.
Weather:
Warm, with temperatures rising from the low 60's to low 70's. Clear skies in the morning gave way to mostly cloudy skies by day's end. Winds were mostly from the west and northwest averaging about 2 bft. with higher gusts in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
All migrating raptors were high and overhead. During the active period mid-morning a few sighted raptors gained elevation and vaporized into the blue sky. Few, perhaps less than 8 or 10, local Red-tails observations and no other local raptors were observed.
Non-raptor Observations:
A rather docile RATTLESNAKE was seen on the NW side of the platform. During the first hour of observation approximately 90 White-throated Swifts passed over the observation site going north and many continued to swirl around all day. In addition to the common local birds, a Broad-tailed Hummingbird.
Predictions:
Optimistically, the mild front passing through this evening will encourage better entertainment?
Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff....@rmbo.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.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 the Rocky Mountain Bird
Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of March to the
first week of May.
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 23, 2014 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 1 | 84 | 87 |
| Osprey | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 2 | 27 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 31 | 36 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 47 | 62 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 104 | 234 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 57 | 71 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 20 | 22 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 10 | 15 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| Total: | 5 | 389 | 621 |
| Observation start time: | 08:45:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
None.
Weather:
Warm, with temperatures rising from the low 60's to low 70's. Clear skies in the morning gave way to mostly cloudy skies by day's end. Winds were mostly from the west and northwest averaging about 2 bft. with higher gusts in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
All migrating raptors were high and overhead. During the active period mid-morning a few sighted raptors gained elevation and vaporized into the blue sky. Few, perhaps less than 8 or 10, local Red-tails observations and no other local raptors were observed.
Non-raptor Observations:
A rather docile RATTLESNAKE was seen on the NW side of the platform. During the first hour of observation approximately 90 White-throated Swifts passed over the observation site going north and many continued to swirl around all day. In addition to the common local birds, a Broad-tailed Hummingbird.
Predictions:
Optimistically, the mild front passing through this evening will encourage better entertainment?
Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff....@rmbo.org)
Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.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 the Rocky Mountain Bird
Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of March to the
first week of May.
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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