Iffy weather and stiff winds made Thursday a great day for raptors and swifts at Dinosaur Ridge Thursday.
Early on a presumed local Peregrine streaked across the valley toward the western ridge to urge another Peregrine to keep moving north. A second migrating Peregrine streamed north in the early afternoon. Joe Lupfer and Karen Clark spotted the only Broad-winged Hawk of the day from the parking lot as they prepared to hike to the watch site. The last hour of observation (3-4 p.m.) brought intermittent light rain and a great kestrel/harrier/swift show. Five of the day's 8 Northern Harriers flew by during the hour along with 22 of the day's 34 American Kestrels. Two of the kestrels emerged from one of the swarms of White-throated Swifts flashing by. Our count of 236 swifts was almost certainly low. Other raptors included: Turkey vulture 17 and 1 probable local Red-tailed Hawk 5 and 8 probably locals (some, no doubt, the same birds) Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Cooper's Hawk 3 Bald Eagle 1 second year bird Osprey 1 Swainson's Hawk 2. Also seen: American White Pelican 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 hanging aroung the watch site Bushtit 1 The Rock Wren did not put in an appearance. Nor did the titmouse. In addition to Joe and Karen, Jim Schmoker join the watch. Chuck Hundertmark RMBO Volunteer 2546 Lake Meadow Drive Lafayette, CO 80026 Phone/fax: 303-604-0531 Cell: 720-771-8659 [email protected] -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
