Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Soren Zappia
Observers:
Visitors: 9 visitors. Late in the afternoon, a group of hikers from Germany admired the view from the ridge and were interested in what birds we had seen.
Thank you to Mike and Karen Fernandez, Leslie Dixon, and Ric Olson for their help today!
Weather: Happy first day of spring! We had another day of record high heat with temperatures already in the low 70s F by the time the count started, approaching the mid 80s F by afternoon. Few to no clouds were present throughout the day. Overall, winds were calm with a light west wind in the morning that became more variable in direction as the day went on.
Raptor Observations: We had an exciting start to the day - the local RTs were already up by the time the count began. Our first migrant was an adult intermediate Harlan's RT on the west side, heading due south. About a half hour later, another adult intermediate Harlan's RT streamed low overhead. Quite odd! We also had two AKs in the morning - one was a classic near eye-level view, but the other was quite high.
During the midday, few birds were seen, and even the local songbirds were quiet. A GE was the only migrant, initially starting low out front before gaining incredible height very rapidly - a theme for the rest of the day. After the end of this midday lull, we had a stream of migrant RTs. While the first two went due north, the remaining three all took the same path northeast, soaring from thermal to thermal.
Non-raptor Observations: Canada Goose 30, goose sp. 85, Northern Flicker 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 1, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common Raven 6, Black-capped Chickadee 1, American Bushtit 4, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Mountain Bluebird 15, Western Bluebird 5, American Robin 1, House Finch 2, Pine Siskin 2, Dark-eyed Junco 2, Spotted Towhee 1
Predictions: Tomorrow, expect sunny skies and record high temperature, possibly up to 90F. Light west and southwest winds are forecasted, with moderate gusts. Bring extra water, and take precautions in the high heat and sun. Trails are dry.
We are excited to have a field trip through DFO visit tomorrow! ======================================================================== 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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