Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley
Observers:
Visitors:
We had a few more visitors today than yesterday with a handful of them
stopping to ask questions and talk migration for 10+ minutes. We were able
to use our brand new education materials (yahoo!) to help them understand
raptor migration a bit better.
Thanks to Barbara Retzlaff and Chip Dawes for their help and company on the
ridge today.
Weather:
The pleasant spring days continue with partly cloudy conditions and warm
temperatures all day. Winds were light in the morning from the E and
shifted W/NW in the afternoon getting up to moderate speeds by the end of
the day. A noticeable haze settled into the area by the end of the day.
Raptor Observations:
Today was a very nice day with local and migrant birds coming right
overhead. The morning started out a bit slow but birds picked up a bit
eventually. We had our first Sharp-shinned Hawk of the year shoot directly
across the ridge at eye level, as well as an eye level Cooper's hawk just E
of the ridge. Red-tailed Hawks continue to slowly move through the site.
The local Red-tailed Hawk pair could be seen for most of the day,
especially in the high winds when they could be seen kiting along the
ridge. Local Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, and Cooper's Hawks were also seen.
One adult Golden Eagle came directly overhead in the afternoon. The
Cooper's Hawks could be seen performing their aerial flights in which they
look owl-like.
We had another nice group of Sandhill Cranes come high but overhead in the
late afternoon, their preferred time at this site. A surprise Steller's Jay
was heard calling in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
Canada Goose 25, Sandhill Crane 7, Northern Flicker 1, Steller's Jay 1,
Black-billed Magpie 1, American Crow 5, Common Raven 5, Black-capped
Chickadee 1, American Bushtit 4, Mountain Bluebird 3, Townsend's Solitaire
1, American Robin 1, House Finch 1, Dark-eyed Junco 2, Spotted Towhee 2
Predictions:
Temperatures drop a bit tomorrow and so does cloud cover. Winds should be
light and from the E/SE, hopefully bringing a few more migrants.
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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, and
American White Pelican. 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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