HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (10 Apr 2014) 29 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
Apr 10, 2014, 9:04:52 PM4/10/14
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Birders John Dwyer and Sharon Kermiet provided great company and spotting help through the much of the afternoon. Thanks!
Weather:
A very pleasant day with temperatures warming from the mid 40's to the mid 60's. Mostly clear in the morning to partly cloudy in the afternoon with a light haze on the southern horizons all day. A mild breeze averaging 2 bft. from the east and north east.
Raptor Observations:
Generally morning raptors were higher in elevation with an afternoon American Kestrel push close to the ridge, but a diverse mix of elevations and directions. Highlights were a Merlin that bombed down the ridge in mid-afternoon and a dark or intermediate migrating Red-tail. A relatively smaller number of local Red-tail sightings.
Non-raptor Observations:
Also sighted or heard: White-throated Swift, Violet-green Swallow, Spotted Towhee, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, House Finch, Mountain Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Meadow Lark, Western Scrub Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Townsend's Solitaire, American Robin.
Predictions:
Continued peak season double digit counts with more late migrating species showing up?
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 10, 2014 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 4 | 45 | 48 |
| Osprey | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 14 | 19 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 20 | 35 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 8 | 56 | 186 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| American Kestrel | 13 | 39 | 53 |
| Merlin | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 9 | 11 |
| Unknown Buteo | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Total: | 29 | 199 | 431 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 7.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: | Claude Vallieres |
Visitors:
Birders John Dwyer and Sharon Kermiet provided great company and spotting help through the much of the afternoon. Thanks!
Weather:
A very pleasant day with temperatures warming from the mid 40's to the mid 60's. Mostly clear in the morning to partly cloudy in the afternoon with a light haze on the southern horizons all day. A mild breeze averaging 2 bft. from the east and north east.
Raptor Observations:
Generally morning raptors were higher in elevation with an afternoon American Kestrel push close to the ridge, but a diverse mix of elevations and directions. Highlights were a Merlin that bombed down the ridge in mid-afternoon and a dark or intermediate migrating Red-tail. A relatively smaller number of local Red-tail sightings.
Non-raptor Observations:
Also sighted or heard: White-throated Swift, Violet-green Swallow, Spotted Towhee, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, House Finch, Mountain Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Meadow Lark, Western Scrub Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Townsend's Solitaire, American Robin.
Predictions:
Continued peak season double digit counts with more late migrating species showing up?
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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