Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (15 Apr 2023) 29 Raptors
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Apr 15, 2023, 10:34:41 PM4/15/23
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
As always I owe a big thank you to Aarohi Barman for working the weekends with me and helping spot and ID. We saw 44 visitors at the ridge today including a few folks who hung out to bird for a bit.
Weather:
Today was a beautiful day with slight cloud cover for most of the day until a storm cloud could be seen moving SE of us. Winds were from the west all day starting out at mild speeds but eventually reaching speeds of 20-26 mph in the late afternoon, leading us to end the count an hour early.
Raptor Observations:
We had a nice push of migrants today, in comparison to our recent slow days, with birds coming directly overhead and below us. Highlights include a NH, two low OS, and our second adult SW that gave us gorgeous looks coming maybe 50 m directly overhead. Non-migrant activity was high today with three BE, including two immatures flying together, three RT, up to 4 TV, and a CH that turned around at the end of the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor activity today was pretty standard with a nice visit from a DCCO. Birds seen today include WTSW (10), ROWR (1), SPTO (2), SCJA (1), AMRO (3), CORA (5), and BBMA (2).
Predictions:
Tomorrow is our rapthorthon! We are hopeful that we will see a good push of migrants after a number of slow days. It should be a nice sunny day with winds from the E. We hope to see you out there!
Report submitted by DAVID HILL ()
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: http://www.dfobirds.org
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Site Description
Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawk watch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Hawk watchers may
see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent site to see rare
dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Ferruginous
hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Other raptors we see include Golden
and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons,
Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey
Vultures. Northern Goshawk is uncommon but also counted each season. Non-raptor
species include Rock Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane,
White-throated Swift, American White Pelican, and Dusky Grouse. Birders of any
skill level are always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by a
Hawk Counter and volunteers from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM from March 1st to May 14th,
weather permitting.
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 hawk watch signs from the
southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch 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, and walk to
the flat area at the crest of the ridge. (Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain:
259 feet)
Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 15, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 6 | 136 | 151 |
| Osprey | 2 | 14 | 16 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 11 | 42 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 4 | 15 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 29 | 37 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3 | 99 | 117 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 73 | 360 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 3 | 43 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 4 | 30 |
| American Kestrel | 11 | 125 | 185 |
| Merlin | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total: | 29 | 507 | 1038 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7 hours |
| Official Counter | Emma Riley |
| Observers: | Aarohi Barman |
Visitors:
As always I owe a big thank you to Aarohi Barman for working the weekends with me and helping spot and ID. We saw 44 visitors at the ridge today including a few folks who hung out to bird for a bit.
Weather:
Today was a beautiful day with slight cloud cover for most of the day until a storm cloud could be seen moving SE of us. Winds were from the west all day starting out at mild speeds but eventually reaching speeds of 20-26 mph in the late afternoon, leading us to end the count an hour early.
Raptor Observations:
We had a nice push of migrants today, in comparison to our recent slow days, with birds coming directly overhead and below us. Highlights include a NH, two low OS, and our second adult SW that gave us gorgeous looks coming maybe 50 m directly overhead. Non-migrant activity was high today with three BE, including two immatures flying together, three RT, up to 4 TV, and a CH that turned around at the end of the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor activity today was pretty standard with a nice visit from a DCCO. Birds seen today include WTSW (10), ROWR (1), SPTO (2), SCJA (1), AMRO (3), CORA (5), and BBMA (2).
Predictions:
Tomorrow is our rapthorthon! We are hopeful that we will see a good push of migrants after a number of slow days. It should be a nice sunny day with winds from the E. We hope to see you out there!
Report submitted by DAVID HILL ()
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at: http://www.dfobirds.org
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Site Description
Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawk watch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Hawk watchers may
see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent site to see rare
dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Ferruginous
hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Other raptors we see include Golden
and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons,
Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey
Vultures. Northern Goshawk is uncommon but also counted each season. Non-raptor
species include Rock Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane,
White-throated Swift, American White Pelican, and Dusky Grouse. Birders of any
skill level are always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by a
Hawk Counter and volunteers from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM from March 1st to May 14th,
weather permitting.
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 hawk watch signs from the
southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch 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, and walk to
the flat area at the crest of the ridge. (Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain:
259 feet)
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