Dinosaur Ridge (13 Apr 2016) 8 Raptors

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Apr 13, 2016, 6:45:32 PM4/13/16
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2016
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture000
Turkey Vulture15065
Osprey023
Bald Eagle0312
Northern Harrier003
Sharp-shinned Hawk21221
Cooper's Hawk12128
Northern Goshawk000
Red-shouldered Hawk000
Broad-winged Hawk000
Red-tailed Hawk251233
Rough-legged Hawk000
Swainson's Hawk133
Ferruginous Hawk002
Golden Eagle012
American Kestrel01326
Merlin000
Peregrine Falcon025
Prairie Falcon0611
Mississippi Kite000
Unknown Accipiter0717
Unknown Buteo1316
Unknown Falcon005
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor057
Total:8179459


Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official CounterGary Rossmiller
Observers: Bill Flowers, Cliff Hendrick



Visitors:
Cliff Hendrick, Bill Flowers, and Bill Pauzauskie were invaluable in helping spot and track birds. 2 spotting scopes can make a big difference. A few hikers runners stopped to inquire.

Weather:
Very pleasant day with storm clouds approaching. Partial overcast in the am period. The storms either went north or south of us, probably with mostly virga. Temps from 13 C to 20 C, 30.11" dropped to 30.04", humidity 47% to 24%. Winds started out of the ESE at B2 ending out of the south, occasional gusts to B3-4, typically calm most of the hour. Afternoon became very sunny and hot. Slight haze in air.

Raptor Observations:
Most raptors were close to ridge line at increasing heights as the day progressed. 11 MST saw a good group go by, RT, TV, SS, CH, and a SW. 12 MST we spotted a bird already past us heading firmly NW at a high altitude with a white rump flashing. One of us thought Harrier, two of us thought more buteo, it will be entered as a UB. Local TV's and RT's gave some good displays. Male AK went south on the east side.

Non-raptor Observations:
25 elk near Cabrini increased in number as the day progressed. Coyote east side of ridge. Scrubjay, Robin, Vesper Sparrow, N Flicker, Meadowlark, Magpie, Ravens. A group of about 12 white throated swifts were very high over ridge. Day became increasingly quiet and hot.

Predictions:
Seems to be a low count period, but we had a good mixture today.


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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