Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley
Observers: Ryan Speights, Ashley Speights, Diana Hornick,
Ginni Dickinson, Haley Caron, Laura Farnsworth, Ric Olson
Visitors:
We had a great amount of support today in spotting birds, from volunteers
to hawk counters from the Goshutes site in Nevada. Our weekend observer
Laura Farnsworth, and intern Haley Caron, were also present today.
A total of 50 people visited the ridge today, many of them spending at
least 10 minutes with us looking for migrants. The trails surrounding us
seemed quieter than expected, especially with the mass amount of people out
recreating yesterday. We still managed to have a busy day at the hawk
watch.
Weather:
We had another warm day on the ridge today with temperatures thankfully not
as high as yesterday. Winds were constantly from the SE/E all day at light
speeds, until they picking up around 1630 MST. Rain clouds were seen moving
in over the last hour, and resulted in us ending our count early.
Raptor Observations:
We had another fantastic day of migration today with a total of 125 raptors
migrating today. The day started off with our FOY Broad-winged Hawks (!)
moving far over the west ridge. Our final BW of the day came much closer
giving us some great looks at the adult tail band. These birds are a real
treat for us, as they are the only raptor seen at this site that can only
be found in the state during migration! Other highlights today include a
very low overhead Merlin, a few kettles of Turkey Vultures, and great
American Kestrel flights for a chunk of the day. One Swainson's Hawk was
counted today as well, distant over the W ridge.
Local raptor activity was high again today with up to 4 RT seen displaying
at once. We also saw a PG, GE, BE, a handful of TV, a CH, and both the male
and female AK in the area.
Non-raptor Observations:
White-throated Swift 2, Mourning Dove 2, American White Pelican 75,
Northern Flicker 1, Say's Phoebe 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 3, Black-billed
Magpie 6, Common Raven 5, Black-capped Chickadee 1, Mountain Chickadee 1,
Tree Swallow 3, swalow sp. 45, Rock Wren 1, Dark-eyed Junco 1, Spotted
Towhee 2, Western Meadowlark 2, Common Grackle 1
Predictions:
Precipitation is moving through the area overnight, cooling the site off
tomorrow. Winds are predicted to be light from the NE. The trail will
likely be muddy in the morning! Migration may slow down a bit tomorrow with
a cooler ground.
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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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