Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Audrey Anderson
Observers: Ajit Antony, Alex Sell, Chip Dawes, Jeff Birek, Sage Church
Visitors:
Thank you to all who helped us spot birds today! Despite the winds it
seemed as though everyone got good looks at at least a few raptors today.
We had a total of 10 visitors on the ridge today, including Alex Sell, a
birding guide from Chicago that was out in CO guiding for leks.
Weather:
The cold front came in the form of moderate winds from the start of the
day, coming from the SW. Clouds were scattered and it felt nice and warm
out when the sun wasn't covered. Within the 1200 MST hour the winds shifted
to the NE, cloud coverage increased, and wind speeds picked up to a 5-6 on
the Beaufort scale. The count was ended at 1400 MST due to high winds.
Raptor Observations:
Migrants were moving in the morning with 13 Turkey Vultures over Green
Mountain, a few Broad-winged Hawks, and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon that
came overhead to name a few. Around 1100 MST migration came to a halt.
We saw a number of non-migratory birds that seemed like they were maybe
trying to move N but were unsuccessful due to the winds. One adult Bald
Eagle, one male Northern Harrier, one Cooper's Hawk, and the usual
Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures were seen. The CH was seen with prey
in its talons once.
Non-raptor Observations:
White-throated Swift 20, American White Pelican 7, Say's Phoebe 1,
Black-billed Magpie 2, Common Raven 2, Tree Swallow 15, Cliff Swallow 3,
American Robin 1, Spotted Towhee 1
Predictions:
Snow is predicted to fall for much of the day tomorrow. We will try to
count through the snow as long as we have decent visibility. Prepare for
cold and snowy conditions if you plan on visiting the site tomorrow!
========================================================================
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/<0101019646b03f24-5b75c6cb-23f7-4d18-950f-c36624924a09-000000...>
