Observation start time: 09:30:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Soren Zappia
Observers:
Visitors:
It was a slow day along the trail with 7 Visitors. Thanks to Ryan Gannon
for volunteering.
Weather:
It was a warm spring day with a gentle breeze from the southeast in the
early morning. As the day went on, the wind picked up before shifting to
the southwest. Clouds started few and far between but increased to heavy
cloud cover by the end of the day.
Raptor Observations:
Local activity started slow in the morning, picking up as the day went on.
Multiple pairs of Red-tailed Hawks were engaged in courtship displays and
chasing off other birds including a migrant Red-tailed Hawk. Mid-day, the
birds took advantage of the warm weather to gain height, reaching the limit
of our binoculars. A migrant Cooper's Hawk streamed past on the west. In
the afternoon when winds and cloud cover shifted, the eagles came out. At
one time we saw three Golden Eagles - a pair of locals escorting a migrant.
Afterwards, we were treated to a show of three Bald Eagles, who soared
directly overhead before retreating back south.
A Canyon Wren, which is an uncommon visitor to the ridge, was seen singing
near the south end of the ridge in the early morning. Mountain Bluebirds
continue to migrate past the ridge in fewer numbers than prior days.
Non-raptor Observations:
Northern Flicker 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 3, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common
Raven 6, Black-Capped Chickadee 1, American Bushtit 33, Canyon Wren 1,
Mountain Bluebird 31, Townsend's Solitaire 1, American Robin 1, House Finch
1, Spotted Towhee 1
Predictions:
Snow predicted in the forecast. We are hoping to get a full day of counting
if the visibility cooperates. Bring warm winter layers and prepare for wet
trail conditions.
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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, and
American White Pelican. 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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