Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Soren Zappia
Observers:
Visitors: 8 Visitors. Two birders came in the morning to enjoy the migration and watched the TVs circle right overhead.
Thank you to Janet Peters and Kathie Moses for their help today!
Weather: The morning was cool and overcast, with winds light from the east intensifying from the north as the rain approached. In the late morning, rain was visible in the north and west but avoided the ridge until a light drizzle started in the early afternoon.
The rain intensified a bit before pausing for around 15 minutes, before picking up again for around 45 mins until the count was ended at 14:30 MST due to rain with continuing rain in the forecast.
Raptor Observations: Despite the shortened day, there was a lot of activity, with many birds low past the ridge or to the west.
Thermals seemed few and far between with Red-tailed Hawks often flapping near continuously until they reached one. At one point, we had 7 RTs at once on the bare slope - some local and some migrants. A kettle of 6 Turkey Vultures were originally spotted over Green Mountain, but soared directly overhead before streaming north.
A highlight of the day was three total Osprey on the west side, two within a few minutes of each other. There was a steady stream of activity until right before the light rain started - we had a final push of three American Kestrels and a Cooper's Hawk all at eye level on the east.
The light rain seemed to suppress even local activity, but when the rain let up for a brief period, we had a burst of activity, with birds low and close by. After the rain continued and intensified, the activity came to a halt once again.
Non-raptor Observations: Northern Flicker 2, Black-billed Magpie 1, Common Raven 1, American Robin 2, House Finch 1, American Goldfinch 1, Pine Siskin 5, Spotted Towhee 1, Western Meadowlark 1
Predictions: Tomorrow, expect sunny skies with temperatures warming up from the mid 50s F in the AM to a high of 70 F in late afternoon. Winds are predicted from the SW, increasing from mild to moderate as the day progresses. Bring layers and expect that trails may be muddy from today's rain. ======================================================================== 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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