Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers:
Weather:
Light winds from the east temperature 25>32 Celsius, humidity decreasing 32
to 22 per cent, steady barometer, cloud cover starting at 15% fortunately
to the West, going all the way from north to SW, increasing to 55% as
clouds moved eastward.
Raptor Observations:
Exploratory fall count 2025. See
https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk. The first migrants were
a small kettle of 3 SW to the NW, which rapidly glided South. A good day
for SW, finding 14, compared to a total of 46 on the journey North in
spring at the same site in 2025, with a daily SW high of 12 on 4/23/25. All
the SW flew far to the NW/West, needing a scope to age them. If it were not
for the initially low cumulus clouds, I would not have been able to spot
these distant SW.
After the last 3 SW moved South in a small kettle at 10:41 AM DST, there
were no more migrants for the last 1.5 hours I stayed. It is likely that
they were flying much too high to be seen with binoculars, as the Soaring
Forecast from the National Weather Service predicted a maximum rate of lift
of 4.3 meters per second, and the maximum height of thermals of 9484 feet
above ground level. I did scan systematically high in the sky without any
raptors seen.
Non-migrant raptors: American Goshawk seen to the west with the naked eye -
buteo-sized, did not flap at all, with bulging secondaries, curved leading
edge to the wings, so head not seen in profile, banded tail with no white
terminal band, missing primary feathers bilaterally; circled, gave me good
bino and scope views and soared to the NW. 3 TV which perched on the 3
utility poles just north of the watch, all facing the same direction.
Predictions:
Light SE winds turning to the east. I'll try getting to the watch earlier,
before 8 a.m. By the time I left today it was exhaustingly hot.
========================================================================
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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