Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Audrey Anderson
Observers: Audrey Hicks, Bob Mitchell, Buzz Schaumberg, Ric Olson
Visitors:
Flight lines were incredibly high today and we couldn't have counted them
all without our incredible volunteer observers! Thank you to everyone who
came out today. Everyone was rewarded with a great day of migration.
We had a total of 33 visitors to the ridge today, with many people curious
about the count.
Weather:
Today was a warm and sunny day with very little cloud cover for most of the
day. Winds came out of the NE/ENE finally after a few days of W winds.
Temperatures were high and a few of us got a slight sunburn today. A
Classic Colorado spring so far.
Raptor Observations:
We had our best day of the season today, with the last 6 days really seeing
migration take off. Birds were very, very distant and high over the west
ridge for most of the day. We counted our first Turkey Vultures of the
season today, one individual and a kettle of four came through today. We
saw an amazing American Kestrel flight this afternoon after only counting 2
all season. At one point we had three AK together at once. A late day FH
was the cherry on top of the already great day.
Turkey Vultures have already begun checking out the area with 2 seen in
different spots not migrating. Local Bald and Golden Eagles continue to be
seen displaying and soaring at great heights.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor migration was also incredible today with three flocks of
Sandhill Cranes flying over, one with 125 birds. Mountain Bluebirds were
also seen moving north almost constantly throughout the day. White-throated
Swifts were seen flying with the Kestrels in the afternoon.
Canada Goose 6, White-throated Swift 4, Sandhill Crane 208, Woodhouse's
Scrub Jay 1, Black-billed Magpie 1, American Crow 18, Common Raven 2,
Black-capped Chickadee 1, Mountain Bluebird 48, Townsend's Solitaire 2,
House Finch 2, Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1, Spotted Towhee 1
Predictions:
Tomorrow is predicted to be even warmer and sunnier, with E winds
continuing. Migration may be good again tomorrow. We recommend bringing
extra sunscreen and a chair to help alleviate neck strain!
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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,
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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