Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 12:15:00
Total observation time: 3.22 hours
Official Counter: Soren Zappia
Observers: Laura Farnsworth
Visitors:
It was a slow morning for visitors, but we had a wonderful group of
volunteers - thank you to Karolyn Chan, Mikele Painter, and Mike Ames for
their help today.
Weather:
The day started sunny and with light air, with cloud cover around half the
sky for the duration of the count. Temperatures were moderate to warm.
Wind speed increased throughout the last hour, going from a moderate breeze
to a strong breeze, before the count was ended at 12:13 PM MST due to high
wind (gusting over 40 MPH).
Raptor Observations:
Raptors were active in the morning, with two migrant RTs and a BE, and lots
of local birds up in the first two hours of the count.
Once the winds picked up, activity died down but a few locals were still
active. Two Cooper's Hawks flew in overhead from the north - one performed
an aerial display, and we saw its flared white undertail coverts. A few
migrant groups of passerines were observed as well, including a flock of
Horned Larks.
The final migrant of the day was a dark morph calurus RT that fought
against the wind to gain height. Afterwards, few birds were observed before
the count was cancelled due to wind.
Non-raptor Observations:
Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 1, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common Raven 7, Horned Lark
14, Mountain Bluebird 26, American Robin 4, Spotted Towhee 1
Predictions:
Tomorrow, expect mixed precipitation overnight, with potential scattered
snow showers in the morning through early afternoon. Temperatures are
predicted to drop drastically to below freezing with moderate winds from
the north. Bring warm layers and prepare for icy and wet trails. We hope to
get a full count day in if conditions allow.
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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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