Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley
Observers: Haley Caron, Janet Peters, June Peters , Laura Farnsworth
Visitors:
Thank you to Laura Farnsworth and Haley Caron for your continued work for
Dinosaur Ridge! June and Janet Peters also stopped by for a few hours
today, with snacks in hand.
The trail was muddy and slow today, with 11 visitors stopping by the site.
All of the trails in the surrounding area were slow today with the wintery
conditions.
Weather:
The morning started out with heavy fog and snow dusted across the ridge .
The fog lifted but heavy cloud cover that limited visibility was present
all day. The sun peaked out for a minute or two at a time in the afternoon.
Winds were at low speeds from the E, and temperatures were low all day. The
trail up was incredibly muddy in the morning, but already starting to dry
up on the way out.
Raptor Observations:
With heavy cloud cover came low birds! Almost immediately we had an
eye-level male Northern Harrier come along the east side of the site. We
saw a lot of Coopers and Sharp-shinned Hawks today, many coming close
enough to age. Other highlights include two migrating Peregrine Falcons and
an Osprey late in the day that followed the same line as the NH.
Local raptor activity was relatively low today, but the usual species were
seen. BE, GE, RT, TV, and AK were all seen today. The male AK was back on
his usual spot along the power lines west of the ridge. RT activity in
particular was low today, with locals only seen sporadically.
Non-raptor Observations:
Bluebird movement continues with Western Bluebirds being the star today.
Many small flocks stopped by the sites snags, giving us great looks. One
lone DCCO was seen in front of Green Mountain.
White-tailed Deer continue to be seen on the W slope of Dakota Ridge,
typically seen on the hike out. Herds of deer and Elk continue to be seen
on various hillsides. Two Coyote were seen near the Cabrini Shrine.
Canada Goose 1, Double-crested Cormorant 1, Northern Flicker 1,
Black-billed Magpie 12, American Crow 3, Common Raven 2, Mountain Bluebird
15, Western Bluebird 27, American Robin 52, Spotted Towhee 2, Western
Meadowlark 2
Predictions:
Tomorrow brings warmer temperatures and winds from the S. We are hopeful
for another good day of migration! Be prepared for a muddy hike up.
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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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