Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Soren Zappia
Observers: Marina Prado-Echeagaray
Visitors:
7 Visitors. One visitor used our spare binoculars to admire a distant Bald
Eagle and pair of Red-tailed Hawks, then remarked that they now understand
why people love birdwatching!
Weather:
It was a beautiful day, with sunny skies and moderate temperatures warming
slightly as the day went on. Clouds were few and far between, and winds
were calm and variable throughout the morning and early afternoon. By late
afternoon, winds picked up from the northwest to a light breeze.
Raptor Observations:
The raptors were active today with lots of local activity observed in the
morning. The first migrant of the day was a Ferruginous Hawk, observed
distantly on the west side. Shortly after, a Cooper's Hawk took a similar
path.
Mid-day, we got fantastic views of a young Northern Harrier hunting along
the east slope of the ridge below eye level.
In the afternoon, three Red-tailed Hawks and an adult Bald Eagle took
advantage of the warm sunny skies to rapidly gain height before streaming
north. Activity slowed in the final hour of the count.
Non-raptor Observations:
Northern Flicker 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 1, Black-billed Magpie 1,
American Crow 32, Common Raven 4, American Bushtit 3, Canyon Wren 1,
White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Mountain Bluebird 7, Townsend's Solitaire 1,
House Finch 4, Pine Siskin 1, Dark-eyed Junco 2, Spotted Towhee 3
Predictions:
Tomorrow, expect more sun, slightly higher temperatures, and light to
moderate winds from the west and southwest. Bring sunscreen and water, and
prepare for some remaining mud on the trails.
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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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