Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Audrey Anderson
Observers: Chip Dawes, Dave Erickson, Mariane Erickson, Stephen Sears
Visitors:
Thank you to the volunteers who came up to the ridge today!
We had a total of 22 visitors on the ridge. A few different groups of
visitors hawkwatched with us for a significant amount of time. Sharing the
historic value of Dinosaur Ridge and the amazing community behind it is
always a wonderful experience.
Winds originated mainly out of the E before switching to N this afternoon
as the storm began slowly moving in. Overall conditions today consisted of
clear skies and light winds until the late afternoon brought strong cloud
cover.
Raptor Observations:
Today's migrants consisted of 6 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 adult Golden Eagle, and
1 adult Ferruginous Hawk. Sightings were decently spread out throughout
count period, the last bird of the day was a low adult FEHA flying close to
the ridge on the E side. The adult Golden Eagle made a pass right overhead
of the ridge giving us extraordinary looks. Most migrant RTHA were along
the far W slope.
Local raptor activity included a male American Kestrel, 3 Golden Eagles, 2
adults and 1 immature, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, and a southbound Peregrine
Falcon.
Predictions:
Conditions tomorrow are looking a bit tricky in terms of hawkwatching. With
the incoming northern storm, there is potential for 25 mph winds with gusts
up to 50 mph. Precipitation is also forecasted. If you are signed up to
volunteer tomorrow please be sure to check your emails before your
scheduled time in case of a delay or count cancelation.
========================================================================
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)
--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to <cobirds...>
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ ---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+<unsubscribe...>
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<0101019592f85ac5-c8fddf70-4127-4872-a579-7f4cae9405d7-000000...>
