Observation start time: 08:45:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.25 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
Two Danes at a conference, walked over from their hotel, hiking the ridge,
they stopped and asked us a number of questions about hawk migration. I
showed them two distant TV and an RT through my scope.
Weather:
The surface weather forecast predicted winds from the NNW>NNE with gusts to
15 mph, with 33% cloud cover, scattered chance of thunderstorms by 12:00
PM. Earth.nullschool.net predicted NW winds aloft at 18 km/hr. The soaring
forecast was excellent with the maximum rate of lift of 6.1 m/sec, and
maximum height of thermals at 11,089 feet above ground level. We knew this
could be a difficult day to find migrants. At the watch the cloud cover as
usual was higher at 80% compared to that predicted, the winds were from the
WNW, temperature 21>16 C, humidity 29%, clear visibility to 24 km. There
was some variable drizzle in the 10:00 o'clock MDT hour.
Raptor Observations:
Exploratory fall count 2025.
See: https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk The first migrant at 10:09 was an RT over Mount Morrison to the SW. By this
hour the migrants were already 3 binocular fields above the ridge to the
West. Thereafter we did not see any raptors for 1.5 hours except for a
distant UR far to the east, so we felt that the migration was happening,
but too high to be detected even with binoculars - we were scanning
diligently and systematically between 2-4 binocular fields above the ridge,
so we thought it was pointless to stay.
Non migrant raptors: adult BE 1, RT 1.
Non-raptor Observations:
Blue Jay 1, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay 2.
Predictions:
Likely thunderstorms by 12:00 PM and a 64% chance of rain by then. Tuesday
has likely rain risk all morning to 73%, while Wednesday has westish winds
changing to east with no chance of rain, so far.
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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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