Dinosaur Ridge (09 Apr 2016) 9 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
Apr 9, 2016, 10:02:55 PM4/9/16
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Humans: We observed Black-Clad Bikers, Spandex Runners and Gear-Laden Hikers in great numbers in the morning, but their numbers dropped dramatically after the storms appearing on the horizon (as with the migrating raptors). A family visited The Hill for lunch and pulled out binoculars and lots of questions. Rob Reilly, Jeffco Parks ranger, spent an hour contributing much appreciated observations.
Weather:
The morning was clear and slightly breezy; the afternoon gave way to incoming storms with winds shifting from NE to gusting from the W. A curtain of storm clouds and virga closed in from the west and south, but never made it to The Hill. The weather shift corresponded with a drop in migrator sightings. Visibility was much greater north than south all afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Once the storm moved in, raptor activity of the local variety dominated the afternoon. Local Red-Taileds (4, thinking we should name them by now), American Kestrels (2), Turkey Vultures (seasonal local, 1), and Prairie Falcons (2) were frequently airborne and interacted with each other and the local Ravens. A frequent pattern for the Red-Taileds was to soar up the column at ridge end and then appear to migrate north, only to turn west over I-70 and disappear... then reappear south.
Non-raptor Observations:
American Robin (2), Common Raven (4), Black-billed Magpie (3), Northern Flicker (2), American Crow (2), House Finch (1), Western Meadowlark (1), Mountain Chickadee (1), Dark-Eyed Junco (1), and White-Throated Swifts (12). Elk (3) appeared again on the west slope of the ridge near the trail in the afternoon and were there at the end of our observation.
Predictions:
Storms look to roll in later on Sunday and that may bode well for migrator observations.
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: Apr 09, 2016 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 5 | 42 | 57 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 3 | 12 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 9 | 18 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 17 | 24 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 | 44 | 226 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 12 | 25 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Prairie Falcon | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 5 | 15 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 15 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Total: | 9 | 149 | 429 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5 hours |
| Official Counter | Mike Fernandez |
| Observers: | Karen Fernandez, Rob Reilly |
Visitors:
Humans: We observed Black-Clad Bikers, Spandex Runners and Gear-Laden Hikers in great numbers in the morning, but their numbers dropped dramatically after the storms appearing on the horizon (as with the migrating raptors). A family visited The Hill for lunch and pulled out binoculars and lots of questions. Rob Reilly, Jeffco Parks ranger, spent an hour contributing much appreciated observations.
Weather:
The morning was clear and slightly breezy; the afternoon gave way to incoming storms with winds shifting from NE to gusting from the W. A curtain of storm clouds and virga closed in from the west and south, but never made it to The Hill. The weather shift corresponded with a drop in migrator sightings. Visibility was much greater north than south all afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Once the storm moved in, raptor activity of the local variety dominated the afternoon. Local Red-Taileds (4, thinking we should name them by now), American Kestrels (2), Turkey Vultures (seasonal local, 1), and Prairie Falcons (2) were frequently airborne and interacted with each other and the local Ravens. A frequent pattern for the Red-Taileds was to soar up the column at ridge end and then appear to migrate north, only to turn west over I-70 and disappear... then reappear south.
Non-raptor Observations:
American Robin (2), Common Raven (4), Black-billed Magpie (3), Northern Flicker (2), American Crow (2), House Finch (1), Western Meadowlark (1), Mountain Chickadee (1), Dark-Eyed Junco (1), and White-Throated Swifts (12). Elk (3) appeared again on the west slope of the ridge near the trail in the afternoon and were there at the end of our observation.
Predictions:
Storms look to roll in later on Sunday and that may bode well for migrator observations.
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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