HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (07 Apr 2015) 10 Raptors
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Apr 8, 2015, 2:11:44 AM4/8/15
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Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Visitors:
Bill Wuerthele spent the day assisting with observations. No visitors to the site. Low foot traffic on the trail.
Weather:
Heavy, low cloud cover dominated the morning before thinning out in early afternoon. 100%-5% with low ceiling at about 7000 ft. covering most local peaks. - A heavy haze reduced visibility to 5-7 miles persisted throughout the day. Light winds 1-2 Beaufort scale with occasional gusts higher. Temperatures 43-52F (4-12C). 0-precipitation.
Raptor Observations:
Little activity at beginning of day. 10 raptors were eventually seen. One Osprey tried to sneak by unnoticed on the east side of the ridge. Bill Wuerthele's acute eyes and the help of a telescope found 6 Turkey Vultures high and far over the western ridge and disappearing into the clouds. They were believed to be migrating and were recorded as such. A sole Turkey Vulture was the last migrant at eye level on the west side of the ridge. A single Red-tailed was also seen migrating on the east side of the ridge. A high flying unknown accipiter was being harassed by a Black-billed Magpie. It was believed to be a Cooper's Hawk based on its flight pattern. It broke away and migrated north and was recorded as Unknown due to lack of other ID traits.
Non-raptor Observations:
Local raptors seen were 4 male American Kestrels and 1 female Kestrel. The local Prairie Falcon displayed his aerial skills before landing on a telephone pole low over the east side. 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks were also observed south of the site. Numerous adult Red-tailed Hawks including a dark morph juvenile were also seen. Elk and Mule deer along with a Cotton-tail rabbit were seen. Also heard or seen were American Robins, Western Scrub Jays, Spotted Towhees, Western Meadowlarks, Common Ravens, Townsend's Solitaire, Northern Flickers, Black-billed Magpies, unidentified Swallow and Chickadees.
Predictions:
Forecast calls for cooler temperatures with accompanying winds and possibility of minimal scattered showers late in the day.
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 07, 2015 | |||
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 7 | 33 | 33 |
| Osprey | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 8 | 11 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 25 | 98 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 9 | 28 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total: | 10 | 91 | 214 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 14:00:00 |
| Total observation time: | 6.5 hours |
| Official Counter | Claude Vallieres |
| Observers: | Bill Wuerthele |
Visitors:
Bill Wuerthele spent the day assisting with observations. No visitors to the site. Low foot traffic on the trail.
Weather:
Heavy, low cloud cover dominated the morning before thinning out in early afternoon. 100%-5% with low ceiling at about 7000 ft. covering most local peaks. - A heavy haze reduced visibility to 5-7 miles persisted throughout the day. Light winds 1-2 Beaufort scale with occasional gusts higher. Temperatures 43-52F (4-12C). 0-precipitation.
Raptor Observations:
Little activity at beginning of day. 10 raptors were eventually seen. One Osprey tried to sneak by unnoticed on the east side of the ridge. Bill Wuerthele's acute eyes and the help of a telescope found 6 Turkey Vultures high and far over the western ridge and disappearing into the clouds. They were believed to be migrating and were recorded as such. A sole Turkey Vulture was the last migrant at eye level on the west side of the ridge. A single Red-tailed was also seen migrating on the east side of the ridge. A high flying unknown accipiter was being harassed by a Black-billed Magpie. It was believed to be a Cooper's Hawk based on its flight pattern. It broke away and migrated north and was recorded as Unknown due to lack of other ID traits.
Non-raptor Observations:
Local raptors seen were 4 male American Kestrels and 1 female Kestrel. The local Prairie Falcon displayed his aerial skills before landing on a telephone pole low over the east side. 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks were also observed south of the site. Numerous adult Red-tailed Hawks including a dark morph juvenile were also seen. Elk and Mule deer along with a Cotton-tail rabbit were seen. Also heard or seen were American Robins, Western Scrub Jays, Spotted Towhees, Western Meadowlarks, Common Ravens, Townsend's Solitaire, Northern Flickers, Black-billed Magpies, unidentified Swallow and Chickadees.
Predictions:
Forecast calls for cooler temperatures with accompanying winds and possibility of minimal scattered showers late in the day.
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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