Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 11:30:00
Total observation time: 3.25 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers:
Weather:
The predicted surface winds were from the NE with 29% cloud cover at 9:00
AM, but at the watch there was only 2% cloud cover. It was chilly so I
needed a windbreaker and light gloves. The prediction for winds aloft were
from the NW at 11 km/hr, see:
https://earth.nullschool.net/#2025/09/17/1600Z/wind/isobaric/700hPa/<orthographic...>,27.20,783/<loc...>,39.343.
The soaring forecast was poor with thermals only expected to reach 2999
feet above ground level. By 11:00 AM MDT there were many cumulus clouds to
the NW and SW presumably as a result of rapid thermal formation because of
the cold air, hot sun with the lack of clouds, reaching 2 binocular fields
above the western ridge and Lookout Mountain and a large one 3 binocular
fields above, which I was able to use to look for migrants. By the next
hour there were even clouds overhead.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrants at 11:10 AM was an SS attacking a CH repeatedly, a whole
binocular field above sub-peak.
Non-migrant raptors CH 2, RT 6, TV 2.
Overall, we have had many fewer migrants counted at this watch compared to
our count at the Mount Zion Hawk Watch only 4 miles away to the NW, for the
same period in 2024.
See:
https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=968&ryear=2024&rmonth=09 We will count only for 3 more weeks to cover the peak Swainson's Hawk
migration which is during the last week in September and the first week of
October, using data from Commissary Ridge in Wyoming and Manzano Mountains
in New Mexico, though which are further west and probably get raptors along
a different flight route that we don't get to see here.
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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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