Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Soren Zappia
Observers:
Visitors:
4 visitors. It was fairly slow for visitors, but a large group of mountain
bikers enjoyed a ride at the ridge.
Thank you to Karen and Michael Fernandez, Sharon Kelly, Ric Olson, and
Sammy Korengut for all their help today!
Weather:
Temperatures were cold, with moderate winds from the E and SE. The sky
started as mostly cloudy, but cloud cover dropped rapidly in the first few
hours of the morning, and we had blue skies with a few scattered clouds for
the remainder of the day.
Raptor Observations:
Today was our most active day for raptor migration of the season so far. In
the morning, we counted a slow but steady rate of a few birds per hour -
Red-tailed Hawks and one young Bald Eagle. Activity slowed for a bit
mid-day, but then suddenly we had a burst of activity with 4 RTs, followed
by a close Ferruginous Hawk.
Our first migrant Prairie Falcon of the season was seen near eye-level
barreling down the east side before soaring above the ridge, giving us
excellent views. A distant male American Kestrel was seen on the west, the
sun illuminating his beautiful red tail.
Passerines were fairly quiet today, but we saw our first Western Bluebirds
of the year, and a flock of Mountain Bluebirds landed on the ridge in the
late afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
Mourning Dove 2, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common Raven 5, American Bushtit 2,
Mountain Bluebird 23, Western Bluebird 13, Townsend's Solitaire 2, American
Robin 4, Pine Siskin 2
Predictions:
A high wind watch is in effect tomorrow, with strong winds from the west
predicted to increase throughout the day to 20-30 MPH with possible gusts
around 45 MPH. Expect sun and moderate temperatures in the 50s to low 60s
F. The trail should be dry or mostly dry.
We hope to get a full count day as long as winds are not too intense but
expect that the strong west winds may slow migration.
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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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