Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley
Observers: Clay Gibson, Mike Serruto, Molly McCarthy
Visitors:
Thank you to Clay Gibson, Mike Serruto, and Molly McCarthy for your help
looking for migrants today!
We saw 15 people at the Hawk Watch today. A few of them had questions about
the hawk watch and raptor migration, and one couple said they are going to
try to come back before the season ends.
Weather:
It was another windy day at Dinosaur Ridge today with winds from the W/NW
for a lot of the day. Wind speeds varied but reached up to 26 km/h. Clouds
were scattered and high in the morning, with heavy rain clouds in the
distance in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Migrants were sparse again today with most of them counted in the first
half of the day. Immature Red-tailed Hawks were the main bird seen moving
today, many of them coming high overhead along the ridge. A low male
Northern Harrier stood out beautifully against the green hillside of Mt.
Morrison in the late afternoon.
A total of 12 Turkey Vultures were seen moving in kettles around the site
all afternoon. At times they would break apart into smaller groups, some
getting to the cell towers before turning back south. Other non-migratory
raptors seen today include Peregrine Falcon (1), Red-tailed Hawk (7),
Cooper's hawk (1), and one juvenile Bald Eagle seen flying with three
Red-tailed Hawks in the morning.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor activity was low today with the high winds. A few highlights on
the day include our FOY Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, a few Pygmy Nutatches seen
briefly in a snag on the ridge, and 3 Jay species in the morning!
White-throated Swift 91, Broad-tailed Hummingbird 2, Blue Jay 2, Steller's
Jay 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 2, Common Raven 5, Tree Swallow 30,
Violet-green Swallow 33, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 2, Pygmy Nuthatch 3,
American Robin 1, Dark-eyed Junco 1, Western Meadowlark 2, Yellow-rumped
Warbler (Myrtle) 1
Predictions:
Rain is again predicted for tomorrow afternoon at a higher chance, but
winds are from the SE in the morning which could allow for a push of
migrants before the rain. This season continues to surprise us so truly we
don't know what to expect, only that bird 3000 will come by soon!
========================================================================
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)
--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to <cobirds...>
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ ---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+<unsubscribe...>
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<01010196800dd140-05853351-4721-4280-96be-0c352d159fbf-000000...>
