Observation start time: 12:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 3 hours
Official Counter: Audrey Anderson
Observers: Laura Hollenbaugh, Sage Church
Visitors:
Thanks so much to our volunteer Laura Hollenbaugh for being flexible with
the delayed count and for sticking it out in such interesting conditions.
Looking forward to seeing you again on Tuesday when the weather is a bit
nicer!
Thank you to Sage Church for aiding in our chilly time on the ridge. Sage
is visiting from Virginia and is the head counter at Kiptopeke Hawkwatch,
VA in the fall. Exciting to have visiting hawkwatchers! Sage will be up on
the ridge on the 8th as well.
A total of 1 visitor today, they made quick conversion about one of the
migrant Red-tail before heading on their way.
Weather:
Today was an interesting day in terms of weather. The entire ridge was
fogged in until around noon when it finally began to lift in the E. The
count was delayed 3 hours and we finally began counting at 12:30 when
viability drastically increased. Fog was consistent throughout the count
period, hanging over the western slope, a few nice sight lines developed in
the E over Green Mountain. Little wind movement and flurries with low
temperatures till the end of the count.
Raptor Observations:
Most all of our raptor movement, both local and migrant, was right around
1:00pm, just after the fog finally lifted. Both the day’s migrants were
in a low fight line though the valley in the E, both adult RT.
Local activity included a few RT pairs and two GE. There was a nice close
interaction on the ridge of two Red-tail Hawks hounding a Golden Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations:
Not much activity up on the ridge today, but as soon as we got up to begin
the count there was a single Grey-crowned Rosy finch hopping along by the
Hawkwatch sign. The rosy finch action on the ridge continues 3 days so far
this season. Other species included 12 Canada Goose moving southbound.
Local Ravens were also seen making close laps around the ridge and
gathering nesting material.
Predictions:
Tomorrow should bring clear skies, temperatures around 0C, with the
majority of winds out of the N/NE. Potential for movement after everything
being hunkered down from the fog.
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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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