Dinosaur Ridge (21 Apr 2016) 3 Raptors
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rep...@hawkcount.org
Apr 21, 2016, 5:56:32 PM4/21/16
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
None.
Weather:
A seasonably warm and cloudless day with a breeze from the E and SE. A light or moderate horizon haze and also a light overhead haze or maybe just humid air.
Raptor Observations:
Three migrating raptors counted and were all fairly high over the ridge. Generous thermals, blue sky, and a light overhead haze were a slight spotting challenge and another pair or two of good eyes may have tallied a couple or few more. One raptor spiraled in and out of binocular view with a perception of broad dark tail bands and dark trailing underwing margins before disappearing. This bird was not tallied and possibly just wishful thinking. Local Red-tailed and Turkey Vulture activity in the morning. Other local observations were a Cooper's and a male Kestrel. No raptor activity at all after 12 noon.
Non-raptor Observations:
Spotted Towhee, House Finch, American Robin, Bushtit, Dark-eyed Junco, Mountain Chickadee, Black-capped Chickadee, Western Meadowlark, Blackbilled Magpie, and White-throated Swift (numerous in the early day). A larger sized bright white mystery bird passed west over the ridge between Mt. Morrison and Two Humps.
Predictions:
About half the trail remains muddy but seems to be drying out quickly.
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 21, 2016 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 1 | 54 | 69 |
| Osprey | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 3 | 12 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 23 | 32 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 35 | 42 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 59 | 241 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 17 | 30 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 6 | 11 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 13 | 23 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 3 | 16 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Total: | 3 | 233 | 513 |
| Observation start time: | 08:00:00 |
| Observation end time: | 12:45:00 |
| Total observation time: | 4.75 hours |
| Official Counter | Roger Rouch |
| Observers: |
Visitors:
None.
Weather:
A seasonably warm and cloudless day with a breeze from the E and SE. A light or moderate horizon haze and also a light overhead haze or maybe just humid air.
Raptor Observations:
Three migrating raptors counted and were all fairly high over the ridge. Generous thermals, blue sky, and a light overhead haze were a slight spotting challenge and another pair or two of good eyes may have tallied a couple or few more. One raptor spiraled in and out of binocular view with a perception of broad dark tail bands and dark trailing underwing margins before disappearing. This bird was not tallied and possibly just wishful thinking. Local Red-tailed and Turkey Vulture activity in the morning. Other local observations were a Cooper's and a male Kestrel. No raptor activity at all after 12 noon.
Non-raptor Observations:
Spotted Towhee, House Finch, American Robin, Bushtit, Dark-eyed Junco, Mountain Chickadee, Black-capped Chickadee, Western Meadowlark, Blackbilled Magpie, and White-throated Swift (numerous in the early day). A larger sized bright white mystery bird passed west over the ridge between Mt. Morrison and Two Humps.
Predictions:
About half the trail remains muddy but seems to be drying out quickly.
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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