Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Audrey Anderson
Observers:
Visitors:
Despite the snow we still saw 4 visitors at the site today! There was a
small number of people recreating on the trail today besides our visitors.
Weather:
We had a cold and snowy day on the ridge today with snow seen falling north
and south of us right when we got up. Snow fell on and off through the
morning until 1300 MST when it rolled in and limited our visibility
immensely. Winds were light from the NE.
Raptor Observations:
We saw a nice little push of migrants this morning including 2 Northern
Harriers and a line of 6 Red-tailed Hawks, all moving along the western
ridges. We also saw a small push of American Kestrels before the snow
picked up.
Local raptor activity was slow today but we still spotted TV, RT, and AK in
the area.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor activity was generally low today, with some decent Raven
activity for most of the morning. A few Western Bluebirds and American
Robins were seen moving north early in the day. We also saw a few Canada
Geese moving east.
Canada Goose 4, Common Raven 3, Black-billed Magpie 1, Western Meadowlark
1, Dark-eyed Junco 1, Western Bluebird 7, American Robin 9, Spotted Towhee
1
Predictions:
Tomorrow looks to turn out similar to today, with snow predicted to move in
in the afternoon, but may be present on and off in the morning. The trail
may be muddy coming up. We are hopeful there will be another quick push of
birds before tomorrow's snow.
========================================================================
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)
--
--
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/<01010195fe72c265-9944760f-acc9-4182-bf4a-27cee09fb681-000000...>
