Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Soren Zappia
Observers: Laura Farnsworth
Visitors: 13 Visitors. We had a mix of birders and hikers today. Paragliders were also seen soaring around Mount Morrison.
We thank Pam Moore, Sara Painter, and Taylor Carlisle for volunteering today! We appreciate you for your great spotting and for being so welcoming to visitors.
Weather: It was a beautiful spring day with light southeast winds and only a brief cloud or two. Temperatures started as cool but warmed a bit as the day passed.
Raptor Observations: Today we had a few migrating raptors, with American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures as the most common of the day. Many birds were distant and visible with binoculars only, either overhead or to the west, and even local birds were gaining good height.
A local Red-tailed Hawk was observed chasing off a migrating Bald Eagle and stooped making contact with the eagle's talons! They quickly separated and the eagle continued on its way. Another highlight was watching a group of seven Turkey Vultures glide directly overhead.
Local American Kestrel activity was higher than previous days, with both males and females hunting and perching nearby. We also saw swifts and swallows today, including our first Barn Swallow.
Non-raptor Observations: Mallard 2, White-throated Swift 27, Mourning Dove 2, American White Pelican 2, Northern Flicker 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 1, Magpie 1, Black-billed Magpie 1, American Crow 1, Common Raven 6, Tree Swallow 7, Barn Swallow 1, swalow sp. 4, American Bushtit 1, Rock Wren 1, Townsend's Solitaire 1, House Finch 2, Pine Siskin 1, Dark-eyed Junco 1, Spotted Towhee 2, Western Meadowlark 1
Predictions: Tomorrow, expect more sun and a calm wind to the north and northeast. Temperatures are predicted to start cool in the high 40s F in the morning but reach the mid 60s F by late afternoon. Bring layers and sunscreen! ======================================================================== 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)
-- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to <cobirds...> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate. * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+<unsubscribe...> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<0101019d5bbb7e94-87b1d0e9-7e6e-409c-b54e-a6a35d6564f2-000000...>
