Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 3 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Weather:
Cooler temperature 26-30°C, 100% cloud cover, light winds increasing from
the NE, high humidity around 50%, resulting in clear visibility reduced to
2-4 km only, the sun came out partially through the clouds at 10 am MDT,
and we figured that it would take over an hour for any thermals to form, so
we waited another 2 hours.
Interestingly, though the winds at the watch were from the NE, the radar
images showed the winds going from South to North. This would be at the
altitude of c. 17,000 feet above sea level, shown clearly on
earth.nullschool.net when the height variable is changed to 500 hPa.
Raptor Observations:
No migrants today.
Non-migrant Raptors: Golden Eagle 4 (2 adults together without any molt
soaring over the Western Ridge going North at 11:30 AM MDT, an adult
missing a right 8th primary feather, with a juvenile with white on its
wings at 11:40 am further north); a probable Swainson's Hawk with long
pointed wings and dihedral came from the North, but dropped to the side of
the ridge above the Martin Marietta quarry; RT 5; TV 1.
The prediction was for overcast skies, so I wasn't hopeful for any flight,
as this would reduce the formation of thermals that buteos depend on.
Last night I was correlating Carol's and Steve's findings (at Dinosaur
Ridge and Mount Vernon between 2017 and 2022) with the winds aloft on
nullschool.net to look for any pattern of winds that predicted a good
flight. Carol's notes were hourly, and when I had placed them in
chronological order by month and week 3 years ago, I realized I had
inadvertently typed 8/5/18 instead of 8/25/18! This is why we had been
counting the last week. I realized we should put off further observations
until the end of next month. Anyway, I did learn that a few raptor migrants
do come through quite early. We came up today as earth.nullschool.net had
predicted winds from the North, though in retrospect with no migrants today
this was wind spinning anti-clockwise around a low-pressure zone in
Colorado rather than a long stream of wind coming all the way down from
northern US or Canada which would have been favorable for migration South.
Non-raptor Observations:
Lark Sparrow 1, Spotted Towhee 3 - 2 adults with a juvenile, Northern
Flicker 1, Swallow species 3, Lesser Goldfinch 1, hummingbird sp.
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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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