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 13 visitors along the ridge today! Sarah and Robert spent a few hours watching for us, unfortunately during the slow morning. We had two Denver Audubon employees visit in preparation for next weeks field trips up at the site. One man also came up when the Golden Eagle was present and got to enjoy the bird with us.
Thanks to Chip Dawes for volunteering today! Chip has been at the ridge for some pretty incredible moments, and is a great testament to the payoff that comes with dedication to anything, especially birding.
Weather: Today was a bit cooler than expected which was welcomed. Cloud cover was consistent throughout the day making for great spotting conditions. Winds were light all day and varied in direction from the E to the SW.
Raptor Observations: Migration was all but absent for the first few hours of the day before birds started coming. It started with a few sparse birds before we had 8 Red-tailed Hawks up at one time, with 4-5 kettling together at once. When those birds cleared out we got a few more birds moving N before migration died down again.
The absolute highlight of the day was when an adult Golden Eagle came and perched in a snag about 15 meters S right along the ridge in one of our snags. This bird stayed for 30 full minutes as people biked and hiked by. The bird seemed slightly bothered by this activity but not enough to move on. We had the best looks at a Golden Eagle either of us had ever seen (Emma and Chip) and we sat in awe as we could virtually count the golden feathers along the nape. This bird will be remembered for quite some time.
We also had local Red-tailed Hawks up for most of the day, per usual.
Non-raptor Observations: Northern Flicker 1, Steller's Jay 1, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common Raven 3, Black-capped Chickadee 1, American Bushtit 2, Eastern Bluebird 1, American Robin 3, House Finch 2, Spotted Towhee 1, Western Meadowlark 1
Predictions: High temperatures and strong sun return tomorrow! We are hoping that another push of migrants will also come with stronger thermals 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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