Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Audrey Anderson
Observers: Ryan Speights, Archer Silverman, Chip Dawes,
Owen Robertson, Steve R
Visitors:
Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers and visitors we had on the ridge
today!
With large flights like this it is wonderful to have extra eyes helping
spot on the ridge. We appreciate all of our volunteers and the time and
dedication you put into the Hawkwatch. We couldn't do this without you,
thank you all of an extraordinary day!
We had a total of 12 visitors today and many who stayed and got to witness
the main flight! Two lifer FEHAs were also had on the ridge today, one of
our volunteers and a visitor from Ohio, very exciting!
Weather:
Mostly overcast conditions with a light wind till about 16:00 when the wind
picked up to around 20mph. Late afternoon conditions yielded partial blue
skies. Overall temperatures averaging around 15C.
Raptor Observations:
Today marked the best day so far of the 2025 season! A total of 68 migrant
raptors were counted with a total of 7 different species. The main
showstopper of the day was our Red-tailed Hawk flight in the 12:00 hour. A
total of 41 RTHA were recorded, most in a low flight line directly over the
ridge. The first overhead birds came in a group of 8 individuals, 5 even
forming a small kettle gaining altitude before continuing NB. The next
overhead group consisted of 8 RTHA including 2 adult dark morphs. A group
of 9 individuals followed. A few more RTHA used a flightline along the far
W ridge. Overall consistent migrant RTHA activity throughout the day and
pretty amazing Red-tail flight, especially this time in the season. Other
highlights included a close flyover of a dark morph FEHA, close views of a
stunning male NOHA, along with a Merlin and Cooper's Hawk along the W
ridge. A few migrant eagles were also a treat. The 59 RTHAs are an exciting
sneak-peek at the species numbers to come.
Non-migrant observations yielded our first of season Turkey Vulture! A
wonderful sight to see as it soared around Red Rocks before heading back
south. Other local raptors included an adult SSHA, male AMKE, RTHAs, and a
few GOEAs.
Non-raptor Observations:
Canada Goose 2, Black-capped Chickadee 2, Mountain Bluebird 3, House Finch
9, American Goldfinch 4, Spotted Towhee 1
Predictions:
Overcast, light winds out of the E for the majority of the day before
switching to a W in the late afternoon. High of 12C.
========================================================================
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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