Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Soren Zappia
Observers: Laura Farnsworth
Visitors: 8 Visitors. We had a nice group visit in the morning! One young visitor enjoyed spotting as many birds as he could - when his dad asked if hawkwatching or TV was better, he said hawkwatching without hesitation.
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers Sara Painter and Lauren Friesen today! We appreciated your spotting, especially in the heat of the morning.
Weather: This morning started sunny with scattered clouds and thin wispy cloud cover, with temperatures climbing to the high 70s to low 80s by mid-morning. In the afternoon, the skies gradually became overcast and temperatures cooled slightly. A few raindrops fell at one point, but not any real precipitation. Winds were light to the E and SE throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: We had another day of good movement with Red-tailed Hawks moving in the morning along with some Cooper's Hawks, American Kestrels, and a few Turkey Vultures. A local pair of Cooper's Hawks were also seen together, with the male performing an aerial display with slow deep wingbeats. The birds became less active overall once the cloud cover intensified from thin to overcast, although this didn't seem to deter the falcons, and we had a distant Merlin on the west side.
The highlight of our day was our first Peregrine Falcons spotted at the ridge! The first came by mid-day on a direct path north. An hour or so later, we saw two at once circling high overhead- we suspect this may be our local pair that's breeding at Red Rocks. Finally, we saw another PG at eye level right barreling past the ridge - it was out of sight in a matter of seconds.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven 12, Tree Swallow 3, Mountain Bluebird 1, House Finch 1, Pine Siskin 2, Spotted Towhee 1, Western Meadowlark 1
Predictions: Tomorrow, we expect high temperatures and lots of sun, with a few afternoon clouds. Winds are predicted to be light from the W and NW, with possible moderate gusts. For those with allergies, tree pollen is predicted to be high to very high for the next few days. Trails are dry.
======================================================================== 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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