Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists (27 Mar 2022) 210 Raptors
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Mar 27, 2022, 10:48:40 PM3/27/22
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Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Carol Cwiklinski, Steve Small, and Natalie Vande Vuss were official observers all day. Sammy Korengut came to observe the afternoon. Kyle Carlson joined us again today, as well as two HawkWatchers from NY, Ajit and Liza Antony. The extra help from skilled hands was incredibly appreciated. We had 22 members of a local Birds & Beers group visit the ridge in two groups this morning, some of them getting to see both Gray Ghosts which was exciting. We had a total of 66 people visit the HawkWatch today. Officer Justin with Jefferson County Open Space brought supplies up to the ridge late in the day and told us more about the history of the space which was a lot of fun to learn. He also got great looks at a GOEA and RTHA.
Weather:
Cloud cover was heavy all day with only brief periods of sun. Wind shifted frequently and was overall calm. There was a haze north and south of us in the morning that seemed to creep in throughout the day, eventually settling in over the ridge making already distant birds harder to spot and ID.
Raptor Observations:
An incredible RTHA turnout today with a total of 169 migrants counted, the largest RTHA movement in a day at Dinosaur Ridge since 2002. RTHA moved in kettles of 3-12 birds across the western mountains, something we do not get to see often! We also had a great number of AMKE counted today for this early in the season. Other highlights include two male NOHA flying close to the ridge almost first thing in the morning followed by the first, and likely only, RLHA of the season. We also had a good number of FEHA today and the first OSPR of the season. Overall, an unbelievable day that kept us busy.
Non-raptor Observations:
Say's Phoebe was seen up at the ridge briefly for the first time this spring. We also had a group of 6 Double-crested Cormorants fly over mid-day and a group of 7 Sandhill Cranes high late in the day. Corvid activity was average.
Predictions:
Another warm and sunny day at the ridge before rain comes through on Tuesday. Tomorrow winds look variable with south winds in the morning. Should be another good day.
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: Mar 27, 2022 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Osprey | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 | 32 | 32 |
| Northern Harrier | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 169 | 370 | 370 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 6 | 50 | 50 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 27 | 27 |
| American Kestrel | 15 | 25 | 25 |
| Merlin | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Unknown Falcon | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Total: | 210 | 558 | 558 |
| Observation start time: | 09:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 17:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8 hours |
| Official Counter | Carol Cwiklinski, Emma Riley |
| Observers: | Carol Cwiklinski, Kyle Carlson, Natalie Vande Vuss, Sammy Korengut , Steve Small |
Visitors:
Carol Cwiklinski, Steve Small, and Natalie Vande Vuss were official observers all day. Sammy Korengut came to observe the afternoon. Kyle Carlson joined us again today, as well as two HawkWatchers from NY, Ajit and Liza Antony. The extra help from skilled hands was incredibly appreciated. We had 22 members of a local Birds & Beers group visit the ridge in two groups this morning, some of them getting to see both Gray Ghosts which was exciting. We had a total of 66 people visit the HawkWatch today. Officer Justin with Jefferson County Open Space brought supplies up to the ridge late in the day and told us more about the history of the space which was a lot of fun to learn. He also got great looks at a GOEA and RTHA.
Weather:
Cloud cover was heavy all day with only brief periods of sun. Wind shifted frequently and was overall calm. There was a haze north and south of us in the morning that seemed to creep in throughout the day, eventually settling in over the ridge making already distant birds harder to spot and ID.
Raptor Observations:
An incredible RTHA turnout today with a total of 169 migrants counted, the largest RTHA movement in a day at Dinosaur Ridge since 2002. RTHA moved in kettles of 3-12 birds across the western mountains, something we do not get to see often! We also had a great number of AMKE counted today for this early in the season. Other highlights include two male NOHA flying close to the ridge almost first thing in the morning followed by the first, and likely only, RLHA of the season. We also had a good number of FEHA today and the first OSPR of the season. Overall, an unbelievable day that kept us busy.
Non-raptor Observations:
Say's Phoebe was seen up at the ridge briefly for the first time this spring. We also had a group of 6 Double-crested Cormorants fly over mid-day and a group of 7 Sandhill Cranes high late in the day. Corvid activity was average.
Predictions:
Another warm and sunny day at the ridge before rain comes through on Tuesday. Tomorrow winds look variable with south winds in the morning. Should be another good day.
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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