Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 4.25 hours
Official Counter: Emma Riley
Observers:
Visitors: Our long-term volunteer Ryan Gannon led a Denver Audubon field trip up to the ridge this morning. The group got to enjoy most of the species seen today.
We had an additional 13 visitors at the ridge today.
Thank you to Andrew Jensen and Sara Painter for volunteering at the Hawk Watch today.
Weather: Moody spring weather sets in this week and today was no difference. Clouds were low and heavy all day except for a few moments of sunshine, lasting no more than 20 minutes. Precipitation was present briefly in the early afternoon and picked up again at the end of the count. Lightning was on and off through the afternoon causing the count to end at 1415 MST.
Raptor Observations: Migration is always interesting on these heavy cloud days and today was no difference. The day started with an eye-level Sharp-shinned Hawk, and was quickly followed by migrants moving high through the low clouds. We had a few birds move at a time including a Red-tailed Hawk and Peregrine Falcon in the same area giving us a great opportunity to compare the size of the two. Broad-winged Hawks moved west and overhead giving our group some nice looks. Another late season Ferruginous Hawk moved N today.
Osprey continue to move low below the ridge on the east side.
Local Red-tailed Hawks continue to show aggression to each other and a local Golden Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations: White-throated Swift 2, Broad-tailed Hummingbird 2, Mourning Dove 2, Double-crested Cormorant 1, Say's Phoebe 1, Black-billed Magpie 2, American Crow 1, Common Raven 1, Rock Wren 1, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 1, House Finch 5, Goldfinch 2, Pine Siskin 2, Spotted Towhee 1, Western Meadowlark 1, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 1
Predictions: Tomorrow will likely be cloudy and colder again with precipitation hopefully staying dormant until after the count. ======================================================================== 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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