Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Audrey Anderson, Emma Riley, Emma Riley, Audrey Anderson
Observers: Ajit Antony, Cayce Gulbransen , Chris Gulbransen ,
Haley Caron, Laura Farnsworth
Visitors:
Thank you to our Sunday official observer on staff Laura Farnsworth, high
school intern Haley Caron, and our other visitors and volunteers that
helped us look for migrants today.
We had a total 58 visitors on the ridge today with a handful stopping to
ask questions for 10+ minutes. Many people are interested in the pathways
and destinations featured in raptor migrations.
Weather:
Today was a hot and windy day on the ridge today with clear blue skies for
the first half of the day, and some nice cloud cover in the second half of
the day. Thermals were strong by 0900 MST. Winds varied a bit between NW
and SW for most of the day. Wind speeds picked up significantly in the 1500
MST hour leading to us ending the count an hour early.
Raptor Observations:
Migration was slow going in the morning and all but absent in the
afternoon. Our first few migrants of the day came low overhead, but birds
quickly got incredibly high with the strong thermal activity today. Buteos
and Turkey Vultures took advantage of the thermals today, being the main
source of activity seen. Accipitrines came through generally lower than
other migrants. One lone American Kestrel was counted today.
Turkey Vultures continue to scatter the sky for most of the day giving us
some work in sorting them out as migrants or locals. Up to 6 continue to be
seen at once in the area. Local Golden Eagle (2), Red-tailed Hawk (6),
Swainson's Hawk (1), Cooper's Hawk (1), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), American
Kestrel (1),
Non-raptor Observations:
Canada Goose 4, White-throated Swift 51, Broad-tailed Hummingbird 1,
Northern Flicker 1, Say's Phoebe 1, Blue Jay 10, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 4,
Black-billed Magpie 3, Common Raven 1, Tree Swallow 5, Violet-green Swallow
18, Cliff Swallow 2, Rock Wren 1, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Red-breasted
Nuthatch 1, House Finch 1, Chipping Sparrow 8, Spotted Towhee 4, Western
Meadowlark 2, Red-winged Blackbird 1, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3
Predictions:
There is the potential for rain for the next few days with winds predicted
to come out of the W for most of the day tomorrow. Winds look to be more
ideal for migration on Tuesday. We are getting very close to our 3000th
bird of the season, a massive milestone for us! Come enjoy the end of this
outstanding season with us in the next two weeks.
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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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