Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Soren Zappia
Observers:
Visitors: 15 visitors, not including one field trip. We had a troop of Girl Scouts visit us this morning! We learned about the local birds, observed bird behavior, and learned about our research and equipment. Thank you to Janet Peters for leading this trip!
Weather: It was a warm sunny day with a pleasant southeast wind at 1-3 bft. Temperatures ranged from 64-70 F. There were no clouds overhead, although late in the day we had a few clouds to the west.
Raptor Observations: Today's pace was slower than yesterday, with 9 total birds. A young Cooper's Hawk flew past the ridge close by in the morning, and we saw a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk glide north fairly low overhead, but the remainder of the birds were distant to the west.
Many local Turkey Vultures were taking advantage of the sun and we saw multiple small groups roaming about. At one point we had two migrant TVs head directly north. In the afternoon we also had a local Cooper's Hawk land in a tree on the ridge, giving us great views.
We also counted our 700th American Kestrel of the season today! They have been our most numerous migrants this season and last year.
Non-raptor Observations: White-throated Swift 3, Broad-tailed Hummingbird 4, Mourning Dove 2, Downy Woodpecker 1, Say's Phoebe 1, Blue Jay 1, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay 2, Common Raven 2, Black-capped Chickadee 1, Tree Swallow 3, Violet-green Swallow 2, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1, Barn Swallow 1, Rock Wren 1, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 1, House Finch 2, Chipping Sparrow 1, Spotted Towhee 1, Western Meadowlark 2
Predictions: Tomorrow, mostly cloudy to overcast skies are predicted with temperatures in the mid 60s to low 70s F. Light winds from the SW are expected. ======================================================================== 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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