Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Audrey Anderson
Observers: Ajit Antony, Amy Walsh, Cayce Gulbransen , Dave Hill,
Michael Lorton
Visitors:
Thank you to all of our volunteers today and to everyone who came up to the
ridge! The ridge had 41 visitors. A few previous visitors from the last few
days returned to spend more time at the count, exciting to have new people
join the Dinosaur Ridge Hawkwatching community! We also had a visitor from
the Evergreen Audubon Society come to the count this morning!
Weather:
Today consisted of cloudless skies with the exception of small scattered
whisps in the late afternoon. Winds mainly out of the SE throughout the day
with around 5mph gusts. Temperatures were around 30C.
Raptor Observations:
Another great day to add to the week! Raptors were mostly seen high in the
W with a number of birds coming overhead and in the E towards the late
afternoon. American Kestrels once again made up a large portion of the
count with 28 individuals. 22 Cooper's Hawks also made up a large chunk of
the data along with 24 Turkey Vultures. Today was hot with thermals keeping
the birds high and distant, similar to the last few days. Clear movement in
the morning with a lull in the mid-afternoon before picking back up around
14:00. Other migrant highlights included an Osprey, an adult Bald Eagle,
and a Northern Harrier. A few kettles of Turkey Vultures were seen to the W
and repetitive combos of COHA, AMKE, and a single TUVU was noted a few
times throughout the day.
Local raptor activity seemed low compared to the last week with a few
Red-tailed Hawks, a Golden Eagle, and a couple of Turkey Vultures
throughout the count.
Non-raptor Observations:
White-throated Swift 99, Northern Flicker 2, Say's Phoebe 2, Woodhouse's
Scrub Jay 5, Black-billed Magpie 2, American Crow 1, Common Raven 5,
Black-capped Chickadee 1, Tree Swallow 4, American Bushtit 3, Mountain
Bluebird 1, American Robin 1, American Goldfinch 1, Spotted Towhee 3,
Western Meadowlark 2
Predictions:
Even warmer temperatures are heading our way with highs once again
around/above 30C. Partial cloud cover and WSW winds up to 15 mph could
provide good conditions for another great flight!
Tomorrow is also Raptorton! Beginning from predawn to after dusk we will be
trying to find as many avian species as we can within an 8 mile radius of
the Hawkwatch! More information can be found on the Dinosaur Ridge
Hawkwatch website. The top section of the platform will be limited to
Hawkwatch volunteers, observers, and counters due to the event.
Looking forward to potentially another great flight!
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Report submitted by Official Counter of the day shown above (<dinoridgehw...>)
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at:
www.dinosaurridgehawkwatch.org
Site Description:
Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawk watch in Colorado and is
the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Hawk
watchers may see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent
site to see rare dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk,
Swainson’s hawk, Ferruginous hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk.
Other raptors we see include Golden and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier,
Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned
Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey Vultures. American Goshawk is
uncommon but also counted each season. Non-raptor species include Rock
Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift,
American White Pelican, and Dusky Grouse. Birders of any skill level are
always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by Hawk
Counter(s) and volunteers from March through early 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 hawk watch signs
from the southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch 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, and walk to the flat area at the crest of the ridge.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
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