Observation start time: 09:30:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Audrey Anderson
Observers: Amanda Baker, Cheryl Wilcox, Ryan Gannon
Visitors:
Thank you to Amanda Baker, Cheryl Wilcox, and Ryan Gannon for volunteering
your time today to help us spot migrants. We really enjoy getting to share
the magic of migration with you all!
Weather:
Temperatures were higher today than yesterday with lower wind speeds and
less cloud cover. Winds came from the SE for most of the day today. Some
clouds today were beautifully highlighted with rainbow light/reflections
around the edges when they were positioned underneath the sun!
Raptor Observations:
Today was our first day of the season getting to count everybody's
favorite, the Ferruginous Hawk! Dinosaur Ridge is known for our Ferruginous
Hawk migration and we are hopeful it is going to be a busy year for them
after seeing them en masse around the Front Range all winter. We had two FH
migrate today, the first coming nicely overhead giving us great looks.
Migrating RT today flew generally lower than the eagles and FH.
Local eagle activity has been very high already this season, with up to 3
BE seen at a time. Non-migratory GE, AK, and RT were also seen today. This
was our second day seeing a male AK sat on the power line stretching across
HWY 26.
Non-raptor Observations:
The Common Ravens continue to be seen barrel rolling and soaring around the
migration site, giving us both entertainment and a second of questioning
Raven vs Raptor. Other non-raptor highlights include a few vocal BBMA, a
flock of BUSH, both BCCH and MOCH, and WBNU. Mule Deer and Elk have been
seen on Green Mountain and near the Cabrini shrine in the last few days.
Predictions:
Tomorrow evening brings a large storm from the West with cold temperatures
and snow. The day is predicted to be partly cloudy with N/NNE winds,
potentially bringing a small push of migrants. It is always interesting to
see how birds respond to storms during migration, come join us!
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Report submitted by Official Counter (<j.f.peters58...>)
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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