Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (12 May 2023) 6 Raptors
31 views
Skip to first unread message
rep...@hawkcount.org
May 12, 2023, 10:37:54 PM5/12/23
to cob...@googlegroups.com
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Three visitors stopped by the site today including a runner who chatted for a few minutes. The trail was very muddy all day, but the recently dug drainages by Jefferson County seem to have helped the trail. There was a large puddle right at the top of the trail up, just south of the count site, that may linger for a day or two.
Weather:
The storm that moved through our area over the last two days was just clearing out as I got to the watch. Cloud covered stayed heavy all day and there was rain for 5-75 minute periods throughout the day. Winds were from the NE all day and the sun showed itself for a maximum of 15 minutes.
Raptor Observations:
Migration was slower than we had hoped after this storm with a total of 6 migrants. The highlight was a low immature SW at the end of the day, my first immature SW of the season. Local raptor activity was low today with 3 RT seen once and the first of 4 local TV not seen until the 1300 hour.
Non-raptor Observations:
Passerine activity was low today with BGGN, SPTO, DOWO, BBMA, CORA, ROPI, BUSH, and WEKI all seen/heard once or twice.
Predictions:
We should finally have our first rain-free day in four days tomorrow. Cloud cover will be persistent and the trail will likely still be muddy on the way up. Tomorrow may be our last full day counting this season as there is more rain predicted for Sunday, but we are hopeful to get through the weekend.
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: May 12, 2023 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 79 | 437 |
| Osprey | 0 | 10 | 62 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 4 | 55 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 2 | 32 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 2 | 24 | 101 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 52 | 276 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 45 | 170 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 52 | 493 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 1 | 37 | 72 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 12 | 66 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 4 | 41 |
| American Kestrel | 1 | 25 | 383 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 26 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 2 | 20 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 6 | 17 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Total: | 6 | 361 | 2276 |
| Observation start time: | 09:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Emma Riley |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
Three visitors stopped by the site today including a runner who chatted for a few minutes. The trail was very muddy all day, but the recently dug drainages by Jefferson County seem to have helped the trail. There was a large puddle right at the top of the trail up, just south of the count site, that may linger for a day or two.
Weather:
The storm that moved through our area over the last two days was just clearing out as I got to the watch. Cloud covered stayed heavy all day and there was rain for 5-75 minute periods throughout the day. Winds were from the NE all day and the sun showed itself for a maximum of 15 minutes.
Raptor Observations:
Migration was slower than we had hoped after this storm with a total of 6 migrants. The highlight was a low immature SW at the end of the day, my first immature SW of the season. Local raptor activity was low today with 3 RT seen once and the first of 4 local TV not seen until the 1300 hour.
Non-raptor Observations:
Passerine activity was low today with BGGN, SPTO, DOWO, BBMA, CORA, ROPI, BUSH, and WEKI all seen/heard once or twice.
Predictions:
We should finally have our first rain-free day in four days tomorrow. Cloud cover will be persistent and the trail will likely still be muddy on the way up. Tomorrow may be our last full day counting this season as there is more rain predicted for Sunday, but we are hopeful to get through the weekend.
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)
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages