Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Audrey Anderson, Emma Riley, Audrey Anderson
Observers: Ajit Antony, Beth Davis, Cayce Gulbransen ,
Chris Gulbransen
Visitors:
Thank you to Cayce and Chris Gulbransen for all of your help, support, and
company this season! Cayce and Chris are first-year volunteers that
completely caught the bug and have been at the count multiple times in a
week recently. Today was their last day with us this year. We can't believe
the season is already coming to an end.
We'd also like to thank Ajit Antony and Beth Davis for their help in
spotting migrants today.
16 people stopped at the ridge today to ask about the count and enjoy the
view.
Weather:
Temperatures fluctuated today with a cold start and end to the day
separated by some strong sun. Winds came from the SE for most of the day,
blowing at light speeds until some gusts picked up in the afternoon.
Massive towering cumulus clouds were present early in the day, followed by
walls of rain seen S and N of us. Just before 1400 MST a storm cloud
bringing lightning was spotted directly W of us. A sizable storm was seen
moving in on the weather radar so we ended the count.
Raptor Observations:
Today was the day!! It has been an unbelievable season here at Dinosaur
Ridge with species records, day records, and season records being broken
left and right. While this is not exactly a specific record, it's a huge
milestone in the history of this site. An overhead American Kestrel in the
late morning was our 3000th bird of the season! The last year 3000+
migrants were counted here was 2002. This is an excellent representation of
how crucial full-time coverage at a hawk watch site is!
We had another nice push of Broad-winged Hawks today! These birds continue
to outdo themselves. Most came along the west ridges. Other highlights
include a very close Osprey and an overhead Peregrine Falcon. Swainson's
Hawks continue to come through in low numbers, but are now seen all over
the Front Range en masse (it seems).
Non-migratory Cooper's Hawks were spotted a few times today, sometimes
hunting and sometimes performing their aerial courtship display. Hunting
birds were seen along the ridge, and displaying birds were further away.
Unsure of the true number of locals. Turkey Vultures continue to do what
Turkey Vultures do here. Red-tailed Hawk (3), Golden Eagle (1), and
American Kestrel (2) were also seen in the area.
Non-raptor Observations:
White-throated Swift 6, Mourning Dove 6, Double-crested Cormorant 3, Say's
Phoebe 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 4, Black-billed Magpie 2, American Crow 4,
Black-capped Chickadee 2, Tree Swallow 1, Violet-green Swallow 8, Rock Wren
1, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 3, EVENING GROSBEAK 5, Lesser Goldfinch 2,
Chipping Sparrow 1, Dark-eyed Junco 1, Spotted Towhee 4, Western Meadowlark
2, Brewer's Blackbird 1, Common Grackle 8, Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Audubon's) 5
Predictions:
More precipitation/storm activity is possible tomorrow afternoon. The trail
may or may not be muddy in the morning. We are hoping for another nice push
in the morning before potential storms roll in.
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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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