Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley, Emma Riley, Soren Zappia , Soren Zappia
Observers:
Visitors: We had five visitors at the ridge today including Jessie and Therese, two AmeriCorps Environmental Educators for Denver Audubon and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.
Ryan Gannon is our Thursday afternoon volunteer at the ridge and we are so grateful for his help!
Weather: Winds were high again today causing us to pause the count from 0815 MST to 1100 MST. Winds varied in direction and speed today. Temperatures were warm in the early afternoon before dropping with increased cloud cover in the late afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Migration has been halted this week by winds from the west. Our first migrating raptors came during the last few hours of the day. What we didn't get in quantity today we got in quality with our first two migrants being an eye-level Merlin and a below eye-level Peregrine Falcon. We also had an eye-level immature Northern Harrier that came directly along the ridge.
Non-migrant activity was high today with up to four Red-tailed Hawks and five Turkey Vultures active in the area at one time. Both adult and immature Red-tailed Hawks were seen kiting and acting territorial in the area.
Today was our first day monitoring the passerine morning flight but we seem to be a little early. A Hermit Thrush, Chipping Sparrow, and a Northern Rough-winged Swallow were a few highlights from the morning.
Non-raptor Observations: Mallard 3, White-throated Swift 5, Broad-tailed Hummingbird 5, Eurasian Collared-Dove 2, Mourning Dove 5, Double-crested Cormorant 1, Say's Phoebe 1, Blue Jay 2, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 1, Black-billed Magpie 1, American Crow 1, Common Raven 2, Black-capped Chickadee 1, Violet-green Swallow 11, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1, swalow sp. 1, Rock Wren 1, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 2, Hermit Thrush 1, American Robin 1, Chipping Sparrow 1, Spotted Towhee 3, Western Meadowlark 1, Red-winged Blackbird 10, Common Grackle 5, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, passerine sp. 6
Predictions: Winds are predicted to be lower speeds tomorrow but variable in direction. We are hoping any day now that migration picks back up. ======================================================================== 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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