Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley
Observers: Audrey Anderson, Soren Zappia
Visitors: We interacted with 8 visitors today, including one woman who was apart of a hiking group that noticed the Hawk Watch this morning and came back this afternoon.
We were excited to have Audrey Anderson, one of last year's counters, back on the ridge with us today! Thanks to Mike Serruto for volunteering today for his weekly Monday shift.
Weather: The ridge was a winter wonderland this morning with a few inches of snow on the trail and all of the trees. Winds were very calm from the SE and the sun was shining. The second half of the day saw stronger winds shifting to the W/NW. With the strong winds came cooler temperatures, making it a brisk afternoon and early evening.
Raptor Observations: The first few hours of the day were virtually still but beautiful. In the early afternoon we started to see low and close Red-tailed Hawks coming overhead/east of us and catching the same thermal before continuing north. Migrants were also seen over Green Mountain, including the one Ferruginous Hawk of the day. Most of our migrants came in a short span before the winds picked up.
We saw our FOY Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a few more White-throated Swifts again today. There was also a stronger than normal American Crow presence today.
Non-raptor Observations: White-throated Swift 2, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 1, Black-billed Magpie 1, American Crow 6, Common Raven 3, Black-capped Chickadee 2, American Bushtit 9, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1, Townsend's Solitaire 1, American Robin 5, House Finch 3, Pine Siskin 10, Dark-eyed Junco 2, Spotted Towhee 2, Western Meadowlark 1
Predictions: Temperatures continue to rise tomorrow as we approach the hot days expected at the end of the week. Winds might get up to 30 mph tomorrow afternoon out of the W. ======================================================================== 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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