Weather:
Today yielded overcast skies with cool temperatures throughout the day.
Varying wind direction was based out of the S for the majority of the day.
Wind was light with speeds picking up to over 25 mph by the end of the
count. The overcast skies make the birds easier to see than the last few
bluebird days.
Raptor Observations:
A relatively productive day for this point in the season. Our 2nd osprey of
the count made an appearance circling far out of the W ridge with a RTHA.
Migrant movement has increased on the E side of the ridge with a COHA,
SSHA, AMKEs, and TUVUs. Throughout the season most of the movement has been
overhead and/or to the W, so it is nice to see a bit of a change in optimal
thermals. Another highlight was a beautiful adult dark morph RTHA that
circled briefly W of the platform before continuing on its way N.
Non-raptor Observations:
Downy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 1,
Black-billed Magpie 2, American Crow 13, Common Raven 14, Black-capped
Chickadee 4, Tree Swallow 2, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Mountain Bluebird
4, Townsend's Solitaire 1, House Finch 3, Dark-eyed Junco 6, Spotted Towhee
3, Western Meadowlark 1
Predictions:
Tomorrow we can expect a bit of sun in the morning transitioning to
overcast skies in the afternoon. Winds are predicted from the E with winds
under 10 mph.
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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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