Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (05 May 2021) 8 Raptors
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May 5, 2021, 8:07:51 PM5/5/21
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
We had 12 visitors to the platform and no conversations with any of them.
Weather:
Heavy clouds were swirling and moving in multiple directions, high and low all day. Regardless, ground level winds were from the east. At 11:00 MST, clouds darkened north and the ceiling lowered. A cold rain/snow mix lasted 1/2 hour. The GOEA flew straight through it. At 12:00 MST a new storm cell, more menacing and widespread than the first, approached from the north, bringing sleet and a lot of thunder. We ditched the ridge quickly. That storm turned southeast. So like any self-respecting (read as OCD) DinoHawkers, we went back up. Weather Station: NWS Clime App for Lakewood.
Raptor Observations:
Migrating Raptors: All migrators (8 birds, 7 different species) were all at eye level on the east side catching the easterly updraft. Non Migrating Raptors: AMKE-1; TUVU-3; RTHA-2. We continuously scanned the western foothills but only sighted locals. 


Non-raptor Observations:
SPTO-4; WEME-2; BBMA-2; AMRO-5; WOSC-1; CORA-6; AMCR-1; MOCH-2; TOSO-5; WTSW-6; MOBL-1; heard the wing whistle of an adult male BTHU-3; Deer-6; Elk-76!
Predictions:
A sign at the start of the climb up the hill from the Stegosaurus lot says: “Dakota Ridge trail closed May 7 from Matthews/Winters Park to junction of Zorro Trail. Will reopen Saturday, May 8.†I checked the JCOS website and could not find any info on this closure, but perhaps we can contact them to allow HawkWatch to continue on its last day of the 2021 season.
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 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 of any skill level are always welcome.
HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers 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
southwest end of lot to the 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.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: May 05, 2021 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 1 | 11 | 160 |
| Osprey | 1 | 4 | 30 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 7 | 133 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 6 | 104 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 1 | 3 | 33 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 5 | 351 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 4 | 14 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| American Kestrel | 2 | 5 | 124 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Total: | 8 | 47 | 1093 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 15:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 5 hours |
| Official Counter | Mike Fernandez |
| Observers: | Karen Fernandez |
Visitors:
We had 12 visitors to the platform and no conversations with any of them.
Weather:
Heavy clouds were swirling and moving in multiple directions, high and low all day. Regardless, ground level winds were from the east. At 11:00 MST, clouds darkened north and the ceiling lowered. A cold rain/snow mix lasted 1/2 hour. The GOEA flew straight through it. At 12:00 MST a new storm cell, more menacing and widespread than the first, approached from the north, bringing sleet and a lot of thunder. We ditched the ridge quickly. That storm turned southeast. So like any self-respecting (read as OCD) DinoHawkers, we went back up. Weather Station: NWS Clime App for Lakewood.
Raptor Observations:
Migrating Raptors: All migrators (8 birds, 7 different species) were all at eye level on the east side catching the easterly updraft. Non Migrating Raptors: AMKE-1; TUVU-3; RTHA-2. We continuously scanned the western foothills but only sighted locals. 


Non-raptor Observations:
SPTO-4; WEME-2; BBMA-2; AMRO-5; WOSC-1; CORA-6; AMCR-1; MOCH-2; TOSO-5; WTSW-6; MOBL-1; heard the wing whistle of an adult male BTHU-3; Deer-6; Elk-76!
Predictions:
A sign at the start of the climb up the hill from the Stegosaurus lot says: “Dakota Ridge trail closed May 7 from Matthews/Winters Park to junction of Zorro Trail. Will reopen Saturday, May 8.†I checked the JCOS website and could not find any info on this closure, but perhaps we can contact them to allow HawkWatch to continue on its last day of the 2021 season.
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 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 of any skill level are always welcome.
HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers 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
southwest end of lot to the 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.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
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