Dinosaur Ridge (03 Apr 2016) 17 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
Apr 3, 2016, 8:44:52 PM4/3/16
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
A large group from Boulder County Parks and Open Space joined us this morning. Dominique (Arvada, mtn biker) joined us, I believe he's fairly regular on the trail, good birder, has Liguori's book. Rob, Jeffco, was there over the noon hour. Lots of people on the trail, quite a few asking questions.
Weather:
Clear day, very warm, variable wind from every direction except south. Temps from 16-20 C, calm up to about B6, barometer dropped very slightly from 30.07 to 30.05". Horizon visible. A few clouds over west ridge.
Raptor Observations:
Birds overhead early, a few over west ridge, then accipiters and kestrels hugging west side of hill in high wind, some at brush height later in the day. 4th year? bald eagle with white head and tail but mottled wings was the days highlight. Local Harlan's came up towards us then turned south towards Soda Lakes. Local raptors gave a good display all day, especially after 2pm.
Non-raptor Observations:
Lots of deer both sides of the ridge. Maybe some white throated swifts in the afternoon? Several flocks of Juncos heading down ridge, several Flickers, Robins, Townsend Solitaire, Chickadee, Magpies, Ravens, Crows. Except for the Juncos, not a lot of small birds.
Predictions:
Even warmer tomorrow, check both sides of the ridge!
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 03, 2016 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 2 | 10 | 25 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4 | 17 | 199 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| American Kestrel | 5 | 5 | 18 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Total: | 17 | 40 | 320 |
| Observation start time: | 08:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6 hours |
| Official Counter | Gary Rossmiller |
| Observers: | Matt Smith |
Visitors:
A large group from Boulder County Parks and Open Space joined us this morning. Dominique (Arvada, mtn biker) joined us, I believe he's fairly regular on the trail, good birder, has Liguori's book. Rob, Jeffco, was there over the noon hour. Lots of people on the trail, quite a few asking questions.
Weather:
Clear day, very warm, variable wind from every direction except south. Temps from 16-20 C, calm up to about B6, barometer dropped very slightly from 30.07 to 30.05". Horizon visible. A few clouds over west ridge.
Raptor Observations:
Birds overhead early, a few over west ridge, then accipiters and kestrels hugging west side of hill in high wind, some at brush height later in the day. 4th year? bald eagle with white head and tail but mottled wings was the days highlight. Local Harlan's came up towards us then turned south towards Soda Lakes. Local raptors gave a good display all day, especially after 2pm.
Non-raptor Observations:
Lots of deer both sides of the ridge. Maybe some white throated swifts in the afternoon? Several flocks of Juncos heading down ridge, several Flickers, Robins, Townsend Solitaire, Chickadee, Magpies, Ravens, Crows. Except for the Juncos, not a lot of small birds.
Predictions:
Even warmer tomorrow, check both sides of the ridge!
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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